FOXBOROUGH – The last time Javon Baker made a tackle was in high school.

The first time he played on a special teams unit as a gunner was Friday night inside Gillette Stadium. The Patriots’ 2024 fourth-round pick is embracing his role on Mike Vrabel’s team – even if it means operating like a core special teamer.

Baker didn’t catch a pass in the team’s preseason opener. Instead, he impressed his head coach by making two special teams tackles.

After the game, Baker said he wasn’t focused on special teams play heading into this season, but is willing to do whatever he can to earn a role on the team.

“I never played special teams until this year – until that game,” Baker told MassLive. “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.”

Baker played on the Patriots’ kickoff coverage unit to start Friday’s preseason opener. On the first Andy Borregales kickoff, Baker notched the first tackle of the game, bringing down returner Demetric Felton.

In the second quarter, Baker was playing on the punt coverage unit when he tackled Commanders punt returner Jaylin Lane for a 1-yard gain.

The performance left his head coach happy.

“I think that’s fantastic,” Vrabel said. “We’ve got players, especially receivers, that can create a role, and they can help you, and they can be big and physical, and everything that we see on Javon as a receiver. When you can embrace that, and they can embrace that as special teams players, guys are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams.

“So, excited and just happy for Javon, just being able to go out there and contribute, and when you do those things, your teammates get excited, and hopefully his confidence continues to grow.”

Baker’s confidence has been growing, and it’s been evident in training camp. Over the last week, the wide receiver has made a handful of highlight-reel catches. In the one joint practice against the Commanders, he hauled in a touchdown pass from Joshua Dobbs during a highly competitive red zone 11-on-11 period.

Two days before that, Baker started a 7-on-7 period with three straight touchdown receptions. He’s also made several catches where he’s jumped over a cornerback for a touchdown.

Baker said his goal this offseason was to learn offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense.

“I just feel like coach McDaniels trusts me a little bit. He calls a play and tells the quarterbacks to get it in my hands,” Baker said. “I was just trying to get the offense down. That was really it, honestly. Get the offense down, and whatever my coaches say, whatever coach Todd (Downing) says, I need to work on, I worked on that. That was the plan.”

Baker’s hot streak in training camp just might give him an edge as he tries to carve out a role on this tough Patriots depth chart. With Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams, there’s already a lot of depth at the position.

Baker’s performance on Friday night, on special teams, could give him the advantage over other teammates for a spot on the 53-man roster. He said that as his confidence continues to grow, so does his play.

“Being confident as a football player takes you a long way, especially playing receiver,” Baker said. “All it is, is confidence. It ain’t about nothing else but confidence. Once you’ve got confidence, you feel like you’re the man. Once you feel like you’re the man, then nobody can stop you.”

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