Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Size:
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 202 pounds
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 10”
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-AAC (2022) • 5-star recruit
“Javon Baker’s combination of high-level route-running, ability to make difficult catches, and natural instincts for the position make him an early contributor for an NFL team.”
Strengths:
Nuanced route-runner
Contested catches
Catch radius
Tracking the deep ball
Concerns:
Vertical speed
Consistently beating press coverage
Film Analysis:
Javon Baker is a former 5-star recruit who started his career at Alabama. Baker transferred to UCF for the 2022 season and immediately became an important piece of their passing offense. At UCF, Baker showed the ability to win at all three levels of the field using his nuanced route-running, natural instincts, and ability to consistently make contested catches.
From the snap, Baker has a wide array of releases that he can use depending on the coverage look he gets from the defense. Into his route, especially against off-coverage, Baker does a good job of dictating the route and does a great job of properly stemming the defensive backs and working leverage to get where he needs to be. At the top of the route, Baker uses his good stop/start ability and ability to sink his hips to get in and out of routes. At the top of routes, Baker can snap off routes and create separation between him and defenders, giving the quarterback a clear opportunity to throw him the ball. Completing the catch, Baker has proven to be a sure-handed receiver and can make contested catches and even adjust his body to make the difficult catches routinely. As a vertical threat, Baker wins with his route-running and can create separation via double moves and head fakes at the top of routes. If defenders are still in phase with him, he has high-level ball tracking/adjusting to the football ability.
The areas of concern for Baker surround his ability to beat press coverage from plus-level athletes at the defensive back position. On occasion, defenders made it difficult for Baker to create separation when they were able to get in press-man and stay attached in a trail technique. This situation brings out concern about Baker winning vertical routes against high-caliber athletes down the field.
Overall, Baker should enter the NFL and have the skill set to be a reliable part of an offense and be able to make an impact on all three levels of the field.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Oklahoma (2023), Baylor (2023), Houston (2023)
