New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice as he battles through the league's concussion protocol. It's unclear when the 22-year-old picked up his injury. Baker played just two snaps in New England's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, so it's possible it happened then. Though, it's a bit concerning that he's still in the league's protocol even after a bye in Week 14. He'll have two more chances to elevate his practice status ahead of the Patriots' Week 15 outing against the Arizona Cardinals. The rookie wideout has yet to haul in a pass this season but has worked as a return man for the Pats. If Baker can't play, running backs Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty will handle most of the return duties.
Javon Baker, Tyquan Thornton Won't Play Against Jaguars
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (illness) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. While he has typically been sidelined as a coach's decision, he's inactive this week with an illness. That's merely a technicality, of course, as Baker likely would have been a healthy scratch even if he wasn't ill. The rookie is still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (coach's decision) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players are healthy scratches. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. He's still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker was a healthy scratch for the Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While this is a concern for his future outlook, some first-year players take longer to adjust to the NFL than others. Patriots wide receiver coach Tyler Hughes said, "I think we'll see him more and more as the season goes on." Four Patriots wideouts saw targets in Week 1, including K.J. Osborn (six), Demario Douglas (three), Tyquan Thornton (three), and Ja'Lynn Polk (one). It's worth noting Kendrick Bourne (knee) is on the PUP list, but he could return as soon as Week 5. Fantasy managers should probably expect Baker to have little to no fantasy value in Year 1, but he could make noise later in his career and should continue to be stashed in deep dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker will have to wait to make his NFL debut, as he's listed as a healthy scratch for Week 1 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. To begin his first year in the league, the 22-year-old fourth-round selection is behind Demario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and Kashon Boutte on the receiver depth chart in New England. Things won't get any easier for Baker once Kendrick Bourne (knee) eventually comes off the Physically Unable to Perform list at some point after Week 4. Especially in a Patriots offense that is expected to be one of the weakest units in the league this year, Baker's prospects for becoming fantasy relevant in single-year leagues are remote. For now, he's merely a bench stash in dynasty/keeper formats in what could be more of a redshirt year.
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker was targeted seven times during Sunday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders, but he finished the game with just two catches for 33 yards through the air. The fourth-round pick will make the initial 53-man roster, but his exact slot on the depth chart isn't yet confirmed. He's unlikely to crack the starting lineup and therefore can be avoided in most redraft leagues. Managers could justify selecting him in deeper dynasty leagues, though.
Javon Baker Falling Out Of Top Wide Receiver Rotation?
Alex Barth reports that New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker seems to have fallen out of the top receiver rotation for the Patriots. Selected in the fourth round of this past April's NFL Draft, Baker isn't making plays as regularly as he was at the start of training camp. Barth reports that "based on his practice reps, it doesn't look like he'll have a big role in the offense once the season starts." Given the shaky depth of the Patriots' receiver room, it looked like Baker could work his way into the regular rotation, but it's not looking that way now. Baker looks like he's on the outside looking in for regular work heading into Week 1, so you can leave him undrafted in seasonal fantasy formats. If an injury strikes, Baker could be somebody to watch.
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker was targeted four times during Thursday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he finished the contest with just one catch for 12 yards. Even though the rookie's production was limited, fantasy managers should pay most attention to the fact that he tied for the team lead in targets. All four of the passes thrown his way came from rookie Drake Maye, who saw the field in the second and third quarters. Baker is worth a late-round pick in deeper fantasy leagues given that he could still carve out a meaningful role in the Patriots' offense this season.
Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker Have Been "As Advertised"
New England Patriots rookie wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker figure to play significant roles in their rookie seasons given the weak group of veteran pass-catchers on the roster. Evan Lazar of Patriots.com reports that the rookie duo has been "as advertised" to start training camp. "Polk has been featured with other regulars in the Patriots offense as a reliable underneath target," Lazar wrote. "As for Baker, he had a string of days with highlight-reel grabs. If all goes according to plan, the Patriots would have a big play (Baker) and possession (Polk) receiver, and that's how it's looked in practice." Polk was selected in the early second round of April's draft, which will likely give him a leg up against Baker, who was taken in Round 4. That said, the Patriots have a difficult target pecking order to navigate, and the passing offense will likely have limited upside under quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. The future sounds bright for the rookie teammates, but both are likely stronger dynasty league options than 2024 fantasy studs.
Javon Baker A Limited Participant In Monday's Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (undisclosed) was a limited participant in Monday's offseason practice, according to Patriots reporter Mike Kadlick. It's unclear why the rookie isn't practicing in full, but he is not wearing gloves or getting the ball thrown to him in drills. For now, this shouldn't be much of a concern, but it's a situation worth monitoring. The 2024 fourth-round pick enters his rookie season with a chance to compete for snaps and targets right away. The New England wideout room consisting of Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, and Tyquan Thornton is one of the worst units in the NFL, so the 2023 First-Team All-Big-12 selection and 1,100-yard receiver could make a fantasy impact in 2024. That said, the ceiling of the entire offense will likely be limited under veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye.
Javon Baker
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Patriots
