Steelers proudly pick from Georgia Deandre Baker CB
Baker's game progressed each season for the Bulldogs, culminating with a senior season that saw him earn first-team Associated Press All-American honors and win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. Baker was also a first-team All-SEC pick, starting 13 games and recording 40 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups. He was a second-team All-SEC selection his junior year, starting 14 of 15 games played, making 44 tackles, intercepting three passes, and breaking up nine more. One of those interceptions came against Alabama in the national championship game. As a sophomore, he announced himself a pro prospect by picking off two passes and breaking up five others while starting 7 of 12 games played (31 tackles, one sack). Baker was a three-star prospect and all-state track performer for Miami Northwestern before heading to Athens, and managed to play in 11 games as a true freshman (one tackle).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Asante Samuel
Overview
Pesky press corner who has proven he can thrive against man-to-man challenges in a competitive conference. Baker isn't a burner, but has good play speed and the foot quickness and pattern recognition to stay tight in his coverage. The biggest issue teams might have with Baker is determining whether or not he can give up 30-plus pounds against bigger, outside receivers and still hold up. While there might be some matchup concerns at times, his ball skills, talent and competitive nature should overcome his smaller frame.
Strengths
- Consistency and competitiveness are his hallmarks
- No touchdowns allowed with five interceptions since 2017
- Confident in press coverage
- Crowds release-acceleration to slow route-timing
- Has quick trigger to turn and sprint when needed
- Foot quickness to stay tied to early phase of routes
- Dials into opponents' route speed and stays in-phase
- Good feel for timing of route breaks for effective matching
- Excellent field awareness and in constant state of communication with teammates
- Loves to squat and lurk on underneath route from off-man
- Impressive burst to close
- Plays the edges to challenge throws
- Good timing on jump balls
- Aggressive and accurate swipes at the catch point
- Willing and able as open-field tackler
Weaknesses
- Small by NFL standards with thin lower body
- Matching against NFL size on the outside could be a concern
- Early to open hips against press fakes from Alabama receivers
- Grabby when trailing complex routes
- Physicality at the top of routes will be flagged in the pros
- Plays a little too tall in space
- Inconsistent reading quarterback's eyes for early jumps on the throw
- Struggles to disengage from blocks in perimeter run support
- Dropped potential takeaway opportunities