Georgia football: Deandre Baker is going to excel in the NFL

Georgia football had the best cornerback in CFB last year in Deandre Baker and whoever picks him in the 2019 NFL draft is going to be very happy.

Call me biased but I’m not buying all of the websites that keep pushing Deandre Baker down the draft board. A lot of scouts seem to be pushing the Georgia football standout to the end of the 1st and in some cases the 2nd round of the NFL draft. The reason? He doesn’t have elite measurables and stats like some players they like more.

If a pro team picks a CB over Baker in the draft this year, they’re going to be making a big mistake. While he doesn’t have the most interceptions or eye-popping speed and length, Baker consistently proved that he was the best in the country at what he did last year. I’m not the only person who thinks that of course. Pro Football Focus gave Baker some very high praise when they named him their best cornerback in 2018:

"PFF’s top-graded cornerback for basically the entire season, Baker has been targeted 38 times in 2018, giving up just 18 receptions without a touchdown allowed. He has forced nearly as many incompletions as he has allowed receptions, currently with 13 FINC to his name. His 34.2 percent forced incompletion rate is the best among all defensive backs this season as he has two interceptions to his name as well."

Throughout the season, Baker consistently took opposing teams best receivers out of the game. He shut down half of the field and make UGA’s defense so much better than it was without him on the field. He did not allow a single touchdown to be thrown on him for a second season in a row. That’s a staggering accomplishment and one that far too many people seem to overlook.

For some reason, despite winning the Jim Thorpe award, Baker seems to be an underrated prospect right now. He’s expected to drop into the late end of the 1st round and if that happens, whoever picks him is going to be getting a steal. He’s got the look and mindset of a guy who is going to quietly play in the NFL for a solid 10+ years and make a team an awful lot better. I can see a team like the Kansas City Chiefs screaming in glee if he fell to them. He’s exactly what every defense needs, a scheme versatile corner with exceptional technique who can cover any type of receiver.

Baker isn’t a ‘sexy name’ in the 2019 draft. LSU CB Greedy Williams will likely go ahead of him and so could some others. But Baker is going to have a very long and successful career in the pros. The team that recognizes his abilities and doesn’t overthink the decision to draft him is going to get a player that could be a multiple time pro bowler, his play on the field is that good. Some GM’s are going to ignore the film and get distracted by things like ‘ceiling’ but the one who sticks to his guns and chooses Baker is very likely going to have the last laugh 3-4 years from now.