Javon Baker didn't record a reception in the Patriots' preseason opener against the Commanders, but he still did something that his new coach liked on Friday.
The second-year wide receiver was a part of the Patriots' special teams unit in the 48-18 win, which Baker later said was the first time he had ever played special teams in his football career.
For a special teams novice, Baker did well in his debut in that area of the game. He recorded a tackle on the Patriots' first kickoff of the game, taking down Commanders' returner Demetric Felton. He made his second and final tackle in the second quarter, taking down Jaylin Lane on a Commanders punt return for just a one-yard gain.
While Baker was effective in his special teams debut, what really stood out to Mike Vrabel was his willingness to contribute in that facet of the game.
"Yeah, I think that's fantastic," Vrabel told reporters about Baker's special teams performance. "When you have players, especially receivers, that can create a role, that can help you, be big, physical, everything that we see out of Javon as a receiver, when they can embrace that as special teams players, guys that are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams."
Entering camp, Baker was widely viewed as one of the receivers battling for a roster spot and a potential cut candidate after recording just one catch in his rookie season. He's primarily gotten reps with the second-team offense this summer, with the Patriots continuing to add talent at wide receiver this offseason.
So, with his path to making the roster exclusively as a wide receiver becoming slimmer, Baker is willing to do whatever it takes to make himself not expendable.
"I never played special teams until this year -- until that game," Baker told MassLive's Mark Daniels. "Whatever coach wants me to do, I'll just do it. Just create a role on this team. If it's that, being a gunner, then I'll be a gunner. Whatever they want me to be."
As Baker continues to learn how to be a special teams gunner, he's drawing inspiration from an All-Pro teammate of his.
"The best in the league. Brenden Schooler," Baker told reporters on who he's learning to play the position from. "Why not? Every down, every play, he does 110 percent going 100 miles per hour."
At this time last year, Baker was viewed as a possible sleeper breakout candidate after the Patriots took him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, thanks to his ability to make big plays at UCF. But he struggled to see the field, recording just 79 snaps.
Baker didn't make an impact at wide receiver on Friday, logging zero receptions on two targets. On one of his targets, the ball slipped through his grasp. On the other, he seemed to mistime his jump on a back shoulder fade pass from Josh Dobbs in the end zone.
Still, Vrabel couldn't help but be "excited" for Baker following the Patriots' win over the Commanders.
"Just happy for Javon just being able to go out there and contribute," Vrabel said. "When you do those things, your teammates get excited. Hopefully, his confidence continues to grow."