The Patriots’ newest receiver already has a connection with Drake Maye
The New England Patriots made a point of using the 2024 NFL Draft to put their new offense together. Part of that process isn’t just adding talent, but finding players that fit together.
Early on, they seemingly did that. After drafting quarterback Drake Maye third overall, the Patriots took a pair of receivers selecting Ja’Lynn Polk out of Washington on Day 2 and Javon Baker out of UCF early on Day 3. Both excel in the intermediate and deep parts of the field, and have the catch radius to make the most of Maye’s arm talent.
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Once they all arrive in Foxborough, the next step will be the group building chemistry. It turns out though, Maye and Baker already have a little bit of a head start on that.
Maye played his entire college career at UNC, but was initially committed to play for Alabama. His first commitment to Alabama came in July 2019, before flipping to UNC in March 2020.
Before he flipped though he did spend some time throwing with Alabama receivers. One of those receivers was Baker, who spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Tide before transferring to UCF prior to the 2022 season.
Neither player ever made much of an impact for the Tide. Maye never took the field with the program, while Baker caught just nine passes in 100 snaps total in his two years in Tuscaloosa.
![Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (2) and defensive back James Williams (0) tackle Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Javon Baker (5) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/04/USATSI_16689143-1.jpg)
Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (2) and defensive back James Williams (0) tackle Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Javon Baker (5) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports
Despite that, Baker told reporters after being drafted on Saturday that him and Maye did work together during that time.
“People don’t know this, but when Drake Maye was committed to Alabama at first, we always used to practice and throw around,” Baker recalled. “So, me and Drake Maye got a connection going on.”
It’s safe to say, Baker liked what he saw from Maye back then. “Drake Maye, I think, in my opinion, is the best quarterback in this draft,” he said. “So when we connect again, it’s going to be a good connection.”
MORE: Javon Baker scouting reports
What does Baker remember about those throwing sessions? “Competitive and trying to get the ball in whatever spots I ask him to put it, he’d put it there,” Baker said. “He’s a competitive quarterback, and that’s what I like in a quarterback. He is somebody that could push me, and I’ll push him.”
Baker shared that “as soon as” the Patriots drafted him, Maye reached out saying “‘congrats” and “let’s get to work.”
Meanwhile, Baker and Polk also already have a connection as well. Baker shared the two have been working out together during the pre-draft process.
“Ja’Lynn Polk, we’ve been working out this whole offseason and whole process, so we got a connection going on too,” Baker said. “So, just us three alone is bringing back the winning mentality that everybody likes in Boston.”
Baker, Polk, and Maye will get to work together as Patriots for the first time soon. Rookie minicamp will be held in Foxborough May 10 and 11.
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