5 wide receivers who look like a fit for the Detroit Lions in 2024 NFL Draft
2. Javon Baker, UCF
A former highly touted recruit, Baker started his college career at Alabama in 2020. But he was buried on the depth chart for two seasons, behind a litany of future NFL draftees (Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Jameson Williams, John Metchie III). So in pure search of opportunity to play, he transferred.
After a breakthrough campaign at UCF in 2022, with 56 catches for 796 yards and five touchdowns, Baker was even better with the Knights' step up to the Big 12 last season when he had 52 receptions for 1,139 yards (21.9 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns.
Among Power 5 wide receivers Pro Football Focus has graded since 2015, Baker is an elite class against single coverage,
Highest career college receiving grade versus single coverage among P5 WRs since 2015, per @PFF:
— Jon Macri (@PFF_Macri) March 2, 2024
1. DeVonta Smith: 97.7
2. Ja'Marr Chase: 95.5
3. Tank Dell: 95.0
4. MARVIN HARRISON JR: 94.5
5. Tyler Johnson: 94.0
6. JAVON BAKER: 93.6
8. MALIK NABERS: 93.4
16. ROME ODUNZE:…
By all accounts, Baker had a good week at the Senior Bowl and that has boosted his draft stock. He is generally polished and skilled all-around, along with being solidly built (6-foot-1 and 1/4; 202 pounds officially at the combine). The biggest question are his long speed to separate downfield at the next level.
At the combine, Baker ran unofficial times of 4.54 and 4.55 seconds. That's not blazing, but it's not exceptionally slow either. NFL Draft Buzz has Lions' wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as one of his comps, albeit with an overall skill set that is a little different.