The New York Giants could really use some help at the corner position opposite James Bradberry.
DeAndre Baker, the Giants’ 2019 first-round draft pick, seems like a potential fit.
All of his legal charges were dropped Monday, making him a free agent.
Social media attempted to guess where he might land, with a Giants’ reunion the most popular choice.
Giants’ coach Joe Judge put an end to that chatter.
Joe Judge on the DeAndre Baker news: "Wish him the best luck in the future. We've made the decision we think is best for the program. That is all I have to say about that."
Pretty clear he's not coming back. #Giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 16, 2020
Judge made it abundantly clear New York has no intention of bringing back their former first-round pick.
If that were to change, it would likely be because Giants’ GM Dave Gettleman says otherwise.
Gettleman drafted Baker and may want to give his guy another shot.
Baker Says He Would Love to Join Giants
It doesn’t sound like Baker will be returning to New York, but that won’t be because of a lack of interest on his part.
When asked about potentially returning to the Giants, Baker said “I’d love to go back to the Giants”.
DeAndre Baker told @nypost that he would “love to go back to the Giants.” Also says that he “apologizes for the situation And the bad light I brought on the program, even though I was innocent, I give my apology.” Baker believes the team should give him another chance.
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) November 16, 2020
He apologized for the negative press his incident brought to the team but thinks he deserves a second chance.
Even though Baker had a rocky 2019 season, there was still optimism he could have had a break-out 2020 campaign.
He showed signs of improvement towards the end of the year.
The Giants also played a more complex defensive scheme last season under James Bettcher.
For a rookie in his first year, that can be challenging.
New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham simplified things this year.
Baker also would not have been CB1 this year, as Bradberry has filled that role.
Bradberry has been one of the league’s best corners this year.
If Baker had the opportunity to play in a more simplified scheme as CB2 instead of CB1, he may have had a solid season.
Teams Interested in Baker
Baker is already drawing interest from several teams around the league.
The Giants waived him on September 8th after his legal trouble made headlines.
He is now a free agent who can sign with any team he pleases.
Giants are not in on DeAndre Baker.
Teams interested: Chiefs, Bengals, 49ers and Jaguars. https://t.co/HS3pPAknVO— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) November 16, 2020
In addition to the teams listed above, the Cowboys have also reached out to Baker.
The Bengals, Jaguars, and Cowboys are all bottom-tier teams with major holes in the secondary.
Baker would provide them with a young corner who has the potential to grow into a lockdown defender.
Baker would provide immediate help for a Niners team that has been decimated by injuries this year.
With the Chiefs, he would have his best shot at contending for a title.
Kansas City already has a solid defense, and Baker would provide some depth in the secondary.
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