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.