INDIANAPOLIS — Deandre Baker, perhaps the most confident man and most entertaining prospects at the 2019 NFL Combine, will take the stage today at the Indiana Convention Center.
There’s no telling what the 2018 Thorpe Award winner and unanimous All-American cornerback might say.
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Baker’s recent appearance on the NFL Network revealed him to be a fun, playful athlete who loves talking about football and believes in himself.
“My numbers speak for themselves,” Baker said on the NFL Network. “I only gave up one touchdown my whole college career.
“I haven’t given up a touchdown in two years, no receiver had 100 yards on me — I just produce, that’s what I do.”
Baker has been widely projected as a first-round NFL draft pick, but that’s not enough for the UGA product.
“I’m not number 30 at all,” Baker said, scoffing at the late first-round projection from NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “I’m supposed to be in the top 5, easy.”
Baker’s 5-foot-11, 193-pound frame has been scrutinized; is he big and physical enough?
The film suggests Baker is plenty capable, not shy in run support and effective in coverage against bigger receivers.
Baker said he knows he has more questions to answer with his NFL combine performance. The bench press is scheduled for Sunday, and the 40-yard dash is on Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Some say I don’t have good speed,” Baker said, “but I know I can run, so that’s what the combine is about, I have to show them what I can do.”
Baker wouldn’t share his target 40 time, saying “I don’ want to scare nobody,” but he made it clear he expects to run in the 4.4-second range.
“Lot of guys think I’m going to run a 4.5 or 4.6,” Baker said. “…. they’ll see.”
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