All of the quarterback talk surrounding the Minnesota Vikings’ draft has drowned out the question of who will replace K.J. Osborn, and wideout Javon Baker could be called upon.
KPRC2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson (who has over 20 years of NFL experience covering the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans) reported on April 13 that Baker has visits with the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Ravens and Vikings, per a league source.
Baker is regarded as a fourth-round draft potential following a great senior season at UCF. After transferring from Alabama, Baker had 52 receptions for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns.
After Jordan Addison’s strong rookie season, the Vikings did not re-sign Osborn, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Patriots in March.
Javon Baker Offers Explosive Versatility for Vikings
At 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, Baker has the size and explosiveness (4.54 40-time) of an every down contributor in the NFL.
In 2023, Baker’s 21.9 yards per reception was second in the FBS. His 21 catches for 20 or more yards placed fourth, trailing top-10 picks Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze and Day 2 prospect Malik Washington.
Formerly a four-star recruit, Baker received offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama and other SEC schools. He committed to the Crimson Tide in 2020 but struggled to secure a meaningful role in the offense, leading to his transfer to UCF in 2022.
Baker was deployed across the formation for the Knights, with 72.9 percent of his snaps coming outside and 27.1 percent coming inside, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
Baker, who lacks the top-end speed to compete on the outside in the NFL, projects as a gadget receiver with a flair for winning over the middle of the field — an area that Kevin O’Connell frequently exploits in his scheme.
