Despite just spending one season with the New England Patriots, they could put wide receiver Javon Baker on the trade block before the 2025 regular season starts. According to NFLTradeRumors, the source believes it will be an interesting wideout battle, and that is true, being that the Patriots have one of the deepest pass-catching units in the league. After signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency and drafting Kyle Williams, all three of these weapons are reportedly roster locks for the team, alongside undrafted talent Efton Chism, who has been turning heads in camp. This leaves a huge battle between Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk and Baker, but the source thinks Baker is the odd man out.
Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the former Alabama and UCF product hasn’t much of the field, so it’s easy to see why the Patriots could try to trade him to garner some draft capital instead of releasing him early. While he may not make the 53-man roster anyway since the competition is too deep, there is always an option for him to stay on the practice squad for the time being. Last season, the team sent former wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to the Kansas City Chiefs, so a Baker trade is still possible if a team sees his potential, and these five teams could do just that.
Report: Patriots Wide Receiver Javon Baker Could Be On Trade Block – 5 Possible Fits
Next Possible Teams
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are in dire need of another wide receiver. Even though Javon Baker might not be ready for full-time duties, he could have some untapped potential similar to 2025 draft pick Tre Harris. Unfortunately, Ladd McConkey is the only set of reliable hands, and they need some type of juice to restore faith in the pass-catching unit that contains Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston. Baker isn’t going to single-handedly change this offense around, but it’s a new opportunity to test that out.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints could use another wideout, even though general manager Mickey Loomis refuses to rebuild. Between Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and veteran Brandin Cooks, they could use a weapon in the background to start building a homegrown receiver for either quarterback Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler. Baker might not start ahead of at least Cooks, but he could be the face in New Orleans at least to take over when Cooks eventually retires.
Dallas Cowboys
However, the Dallas Cowboys finally got a wide receiver this offseason, so CeeDee Lamb doesn’t eat up most of the snaps. George Pickens and Lamb are their own WR1s while Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo are still carving out a name for themselves. Baker could be at least a WR4 if they don’t see any improvement from Mingo after a disastrous 2024 campaign.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders’ longevity of this pass-catching unit doesn’t look promising for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Deebo Samuel is looking arguably slow at practice despite the acquisition this offseason, and Terry McLaurin is sitting out until he gets a new contract. This leaves an untested Luke McCaffrey and Michael Gallup, who just came out of retirement, when they already lost Noah Brown. Baker won’t start, but it’s better to add another weapon to be on the safe side.
Baltimore Ravens
While the Ravens did sign DeAndre Hopkins, he doesn’t provide a ton of value for the long-term of this offense. The Ravens need a true WR3 behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman since both of these weapons aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Baker has the same potential upside as Bateman and Flowers, but maybe playing for the Ravens, he could finally carve out a starting role.
The post Report: Patriots Wide Receiver Could Be On Trade Block – 5 Possible Fits appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.