As a New England Patriots fan, let me be the first to say how nice it is to have a position battle in the wide receiver room. This has been a unit that has flirted with the title “league’s worst” since Jakobi Myers left. Now it seems as though there aren’t enough chairs in the room to match the amount of athletes in the building.
The latest development in the team’s most heated position battle came on Tuesday when the team’s fourth round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was seen working with the ones. That player is Javon Baker.
“Javon Baker stayed with the top receivers when Vrabel split the fields between starters and backups,” reported ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “That could have been a response to Monday when the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Baker caught three touchdown passes in 7-on-7 drills, showing strong hands and the ability to attack the football.”
The problem for Baker is that he appears to be on the outside looking in at a seven man receiving room. However, one of the favorites to earn that seventh spot is veteran Kendrick Bourne who has not participated in practice since last week. Reiss says Bourne’s bad luck could be huge for the younger Baker.
“With a potential sixth and seventh spot available, and with veteran Kendrick Bourne sidelined after being rolled up on on Friday night, this looks like Baker’s chance to make a move,” Reiss concludes.
Four Receivers Battling For Two Spots
In the NFL receiver rooms usually hover around six to seven players. Based on how much talent is in the room, it appears as though New England is leaning towards the latter. It is safe to assume Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Demario “Pop” Douglas, and Kyle Williams will make up five of those slots.
But what about the other two?
Kendrick Bourne felt like a safe bet to make the team. At 30-years-old, Bourne is the longest tenured Patriot in the room. He posted 800 yards in 2021, but his totals have gone down every year since. With little to offer on special teams, it really is dicey for the vet.
Ja’Lynn Polk is also on the bubble. He was a very high draft pick, going 37th overall just a season ago, but reports coming out of camp indicate the vibes around Polk aren’t as high as they would like.
One player the media won’t stop talking about, however, is undrafted rookie free agent Efton Chism. Chism has been turning heads with his motor and savviness. He will undoubtedly contribute on every single special teams unit, which makes him a very attractive roster addition.
And finally there is Baker. Baker’s raw athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect, but he’s never really put it together on the football field.
ESPN Calls This The Team’s Most Pressing Battle
This battle is going to come right down to the wire. I truly have no idea how it will shake out, and seemingly neither does ESPN. The website published an article detailing each team’s biggest position battle during training camp. While several additions included predictions, they shied away from throwing their hat in this ring.
“2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, along with spring undrafted free agent standout Efton Chism III, are among those who have shown up making plays,” Mike Reiss wrote. “There will likely be six (possibly seven) wide receivers on the initial roster, so something has to give.”
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