Patriots Rookie Primed For Bigger Role Moving Forward

Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker hasn’t been targeted once this season, but his fortunes could soon change.

New England has been extremely resistant to playing the 22-year-old, activating him just three times this season and primarily playing him on special teams. It’s becoming clearer by the week that the offense needs a spark, however.

Baker certainly thinks he can provide it — which became clear in the moments after he was drafted — and it looks like he’ll finally get a chance Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

“The last couple of weeks, he’s put together great weeks of practice,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday, per team-provided video. “Now, hopefully, he gets an opportunity to play some receiver. He’s an explosive player. We need to see that on Sunday.”

Mayo’s comments come after a horrific week from the wideouts, who dropped five passes between Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett in last weekend’s close win over the New York Jets.

“They’re disappointed. There’s no question,” Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said on Thursday, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “That’s a group that we expect more out of. Just handling the football, that’s the biggest thing. Drops come in bunches. Catches come in bunches. My message to them was to keep working; you’re lifelong receivers; you catch the ball for a living, so it’s nothing new to you guys.”

New England is emphasizing consistency, and with plenty of chances not being capitalized on by the likes of Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne, it appears to be Baker’s turn.

Related Posts

Packers Dished Out Brutal Injury Reckoning Ahead Of Week 12

The Green Bay Packers are entering a very key stretch of the season – indeed one that will in all likelihood be their most challenging yet. It is no surprise that Packers may well rue needless losses to the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, alongside a tie with the Dallas Cowboys – but now that […]

Broncos Rookie Invokes Taylor Swift’s Name in Deleted Trash Talk to Travis Kelce, Chiefs

A Broncos rookie surprisingly invoked Taylor Swift’s name in some post-win trash talk to Travis Kelce and the Chiefs.

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb Breaks Silence on Benching & Casino Rumors

After Dallas Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were briefly benched against the Raiders, Lamb explained why and addressed the casino rumors.

Panthers face 49ers in Monday night clash with playoff implications

The San Francisco 49ers are back in playoff contention with Brock Purdy returning as their starting quarterback.

BREAKING NEWS: Entіre Offіcіаtіng Crew Suѕрended After 49erѕ-Rаmѕ Controverѕy — Kyle Shаnаhаn’ѕ Seven Wordѕ Shаke the NFL to Itѕ Core…

Late Sunday night, the NFL Board of Governors announced the immediate suspension of all seven officials from the Week 10 game between the two NFC powerhouses, following a flood of public outrage over a series of “unjustifiable officiating errors” that appeared to repeatedly disadvantage the 49ers.

💔 SAD NEWS: The Bills community is in shock after the heartbreaking death of a 20-year-old defensive standout widely projected as a future MVP and Defensive Player of the Year contender. Scouting circles had quietly tagged him as one of the most promising defensive prospects of the decade — and his loss has sent waves of grief across the league.

Killed in Horrific Crash That Has The Nation In Shock Buffalo, NY. The NFL world is in mourning today after the tragic death of 20-year-old defensive standout…