Deandre Baker – Best CB in this Draft
By: Alex Khvatov
Deandre Baker is the true definition of a shutdown corner in the 2019 NFL Draft. He could have entered last year’s draft, but decided to solidify his standing as the top CB in CFB. He was the best player on a very talented defense. He captured a Jim Thorpe award in 2018. In the last two seasons, he recorded 84 tackles, 19 pass breakups and five interceptions. He didn’t surrender a single touchdown in the last two years. Think about it. Baker played in the SEC, the best conference in CFB. He went up against NFL caliber receivers almost every week.
During his senior year, he lined up all over the field (outside and in the slot). He shadowed the opposing team’s top receiver. He shutdown Deebo Samuel (projected day two pick) and Jerry Jeudy (projected 2020 first-round pick). Opposing offenses stayed away from his side of the field in 2018.
He went up against his own teammates in practice every day who made him better. He faced Riley Ridley, Mecole Hardman and Terry Godwin (all three receivers will hear their names called on draft day).
People started to question Baker after the Combine. They tried to nitpick his game. He didn’t look stellar and ran a 4.52 in Indy. But he bounced back at his pro day where he ran a 4.46.
He is a very confident guy at 5’11, 193 pounds. He believes that he is not only the best corner, but one of the top players in this draft.
He excels as a bump and run corner. He sticks to receivers like glue in press coverage. He likes to get physical with wideouts. He also showed that he is comfortable lining up in off man or zone coverage especially during his senior year.
He is very agile with smooth footwork. He is a technically sound corner who understands leverage and all of the little nuances that it takes to play the position at a high level. His closing speed and instincts are impressive. Baker displays good ball skills. The one thing that he has to improve on is his tackling. He is capable of it, but there were times that he wasn’t too willing to stick his nose in there in run support.
Don’t sleep on Deandre Baker. If your team is in need of a corner, this is the player that you should draft. He is a complete corner and should be a top 15 selection in April.
