{"id":42730,"date":"2018-04-24T19:00:06","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T23:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=42730"},"modified":"2021-03-12T17:02:10","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T22:02:10","slug":"jerome-baker-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/04\/24\/jerome-baker-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Jerome Baker 2018 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview
\n<\/strong>Position:<\/strong> Linebacker
\nHeight:<\/strong> 6\u20191\u201d
\nWeight:<\/strong> 229 pounds
\nSchool:<\/strong> Ohio State Buckeyes<\/p>\n

Combine Performance
\n<\/strong>40-yard dash:<\/strong> 4.53 seconds (fourth among linebackers)
\nBench press:<\/strong> 22 reps
\nVertical jump:<\/strong> 36.5 inches (sixth among linebackers)
\nBroad jump:<\/strong> 10 feet, 6 inches (third among linebackers)<\/p>\n

Jerome Baker 2018 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The prototypical NFL linebacker has been evolving for quite some time now, and that\u2019s not going to slow down any time soon. It used to be that you had to weigh at least 240 pounds to play the “enforcer\u201d role at the linebacker position. That\u2019s not even close to the case anymore. Some of the best do-it-all linebackers aren\u2019t even 230 pounds now.\u00a0Telvin Smith<\/a><\/strong>, Deion Jones<\/a><\/strong>, Kwon Alexander<\/a><\/strong>, Eric Kendricks<\/a><\/strong>, Deone Bucannon<\/a><\/strong>, Mark Barron<\/a><\/strong>; the list goes on. Could former Ohio State Buckeye Jerome Baker<\/a><\/strong> be the next slightly undersized stud NFL linebacker?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible, but does his skill set truly translate to the NFL?<\/p>\n

Well, since the league is continuously shifting towards more passing, it seems speed, agility, and real cover skills seem to be important. However, linebackers still can\u2019t just get washed out against the run. If they fail too miserably at either they\u2019ll be relegated to sub-packages or a backup and special teams role.<\/p>\n

Baker\u2019s solid speed and athleticism give him range to both drop into coverage and attack in the run game. He grabbed three and a half sacks and at least eight tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons. And even though he only logged a few passes defended his coverage was clearly respected by opposing quarterbacks. It was clear that defenses did not like forcing any play his way.<\/p>\n

Baker also possesses above average awareness. Against Oklahoma (in both 2016 and 2017) he contained extra yardage Baker Mayfield<\/strong><\/a> was trying to create with his legs on multiple occasions. Baker used his awareness to diagnose quickly and get to the right spot.<\/p>\n

However, Baker\u2019s size does show up as an issue at times. Iowa seemed to figure things out against Baker and the rest of the Buckeyes. Baker was simply moved off his spot on several occasions when asked to make a stop in that game. He was left grasping at air as he was pushed aside. And that even showed on the stat sheet as he barely contributed on five \u201cassists\u201d that were politely awarded to him.<\/p>\n

When Baker plays instinctually and strong he has a good game (like against Wisconsin in both 2016 and 2017). That just needs to present itself more consistently if he\u2019s going to find an every-down role in the NFL. The athleticism is similar to the consensus LB1 in this class, Roquan Smith<\/strong><\/a> (according to MockDraftable<\/a><\/u>). He just needs to use that confidently. If he does that, Baker could very well be a steal for the right team as a 4-3 outside (WILL) linebacker or inside in a 3-4.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h2>\n