2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jelani Baker, WR, Limestone
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Jelani Baker, #4 |
| School (Code) | Limestone University |
| DOB, Class Yr | 11/03/2000, Sixth-Year Senior. |
| Height, Weight | 6020, 195 |
| 40 Yd Dash | N/A |
| Position/Depth | WR, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | 2023 Team Captain; 2023 Don Hansen Division II All-American Honorable Mention; 2023 All-SAC First Team; 2023 D2Football.com Elite 100 Team |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | Carson-Newman, Mars Hill, Lenoir-Rhyne, Catawba, Newberry, Emory & Henry, Valdosta State |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 03/19/24 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | (Limestone) 12 GP (12 GS), 75 Rec, 1089 Rec Yds, 14 Rec TD, 17 KR ATT, 327 KR Yds, 5 PR ATT, 15 PR Yds |
| 2022 | (Limestone) 12 GP (7 GS), 43 Rec, 592 Rec Yds, 5 Rec TD, 6 KR ATT, 294 KR Yds, 1 KR TD |
| 2021 | (West Georgia) 4 GP, 1 Rec, 15 Rec Yds |
| 2020 | (West Georgia) DNP – Season Canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2019 | (West Georgia) 8 GP, 3 Rec, 26 Rec Yds |
| 2018 | (West Georgia) DNP – Redshirt Year |
Player Summary:
At 6020, 195 pounds, Jelani Baker is a smooth functional mover who boasts the requisite play speed, route-running acumen, and ball skills to win at all three levels. Lined up as the primary slot receiver in Limestone’s Air Coryell-inspired passing attack. Carries nearly 200 pounds of mass on a wiry frame, which signals positive growth potential to acquire additional mass at the next level. Offers favorable height/weight measurements against smaller nickel-type DBs. Does not overcomplicate his release at the LOS; He shakes press man coverage with a sudden outside release first step and transitions into his route with potent acceleration within the first five yards off the ball. Fluid at the stem and displays minimal wasted motion out of his breaks. Crisp route runner with good foot quickness and sufficient burst to generate separation at the top of the route. Does not drop weight or sink his hips well enough to create maximum separation against man coverage, but he sets up his man with deceptive head fakes and subtle twitch to gain leverage while in phase. Attacks the blindspot and forces DBs to open their gate before cutting off his route. He Evades contact throughout the route with a swift and concise swim move to keep hands off his frame. Confidently attacks the short/intermediate MOF on two-step slants, drags, shallow crossers, and overs while also targeting the intermediate boundary on deep outs from the slot. Mostly thrives out in the flats where he can use his substantial build and sneaky twitch to turn short receptions into explosive plays downfield. Provides capable long speed to get vertical but is not a burner who can burn defenses over the top consistently. Extends for the ball with average arm length but uses sharp hand-eye coordination, acute ball tracking ability, and dependable ball skills to secure contested catches through contact. Exhibits well-honed body control to contort & adjust to back-shoulder throws or balls delivered outside of his frame, although his catch radius is rather moderate. Falls victim to frequent body catches when facing the quarterback. Gets his hands down quickly to dig out low throws despite his height. Not overly dynamic with the ball in his hands. Instead, he is a physical, agile ball carrier who seeks/absorbs contact and uses quality vision to sift through contact to collect yards after the catch. His vision also serves him well as a kick returner, which will be a crucial facet of the game for Baker as he competes for an NFL roster spot. As a blocker, Baker flashed some bright spots through his individual effort and willingness to free up his teammates for explosive plays of their own. However, at this point, his hand placement and play strength are inconsistent at best.
Scheme Fit:
Even though Baker meets the ideal size requirements to line up as an outside receiver in the Z spot, his athleticism, functional mobility, and size will allow him to create advantageous matchups against smaller slot corners or less-athletic JACK-types that struggle to cover one-on-one in open space.
Power Statement:
Baker is a clean, controlled, and consistent receiver who embraced the role of WR1 and shined under heightened expectations in 2023. As the primary target for Limestone, he finished the 2023 campaign ranked ninth in receptions and receiving yards amongst Division II receivers. Baker capitalized on his increased usage rate and became one of only five draft-eligible Division II receivers to collect over 75 receptions, 1000 receiving yards, and at least 14 receiving touchdowns.
Baker is more than just a late-round or undrafted flier from the DII ranks – he is a productive, reliable, and physical receiver with solid athleticism, good ball skills, and optimal size at the slot. Like all small-school prospects jumping to the pro ranks, Baker will require some time to adjust to the speed of the game and will need to polish some of the technical aspects of his game (dropping weight when breaking down at the top of the route, learning to become less dependent on body catches to secure the ball, improving hat + hand location as a blocker, etc.) His playmaking and route-running upside are evident throughout his 2023 tape, which should help him garner attention from teams looking for below-market-value receiver depth.