Deandre

Baker

The 2019 first-rounder played just 257 defensive snaps over two years with the Chiefs, failing to notch above a 61.6 PFF coverage grade in either of his two seasons. Outside cornerbacks with this skill set tend to bounce around and get more opportunities, but it appears that the heavy emphasis the Chiefs put on defensive back this offseason made Baker expendable. He may catch on in camp elsewhere.

It’s the second consecutive healthy-scratch for Baker. Brown was unable to turn around for Sunday after being acquired at the trade deadline.

Baker is once again a healthy scratch for the Chiefs, who head into Week 9 as one of the NFL’s healthiest teams.

Baker was the Giants’ first-round pick in 2019 but won’t face his former team. Hitchens has a triceps issue while Remmers is out with a knee injury.

Baker is the name to know here. After being released by the Giants stemming from off-field issues, Baker played a few snaps for the Chiefs in 2020 before a freak leg injury that sent him to the hospital in an ambulance. His broken femur surgery was successful. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for the season opener.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports this will confirmed in the coming days pending a last-minute snag. There’s limited risk on the Chiefs end to bring him on to the practice squad, but Baker has to prove he’s capable of handling himself off the field before being an actual contributor for the Chiefs down the stretch. Kansas City would be one of the best culture fits for a player like Baker who has a lengthy off-field history.

Baker’s charges were dropped after an attorney was arrested on extortion charges in his odd case. The charges being dropped against Baker is enough for him to test the free agency waters. Baker was one of the worst-graded corners before being released by the Giants and can still be suspended by the NFL pending further investigation, so it’s unclear what the former first-round pick’s chances are of actually playing games in 2020 and beyond.

The charges against Baker were dropped after an attorney representing three of the alleged victims of the armed robbery by Baker was arrested on extortion charges related to the case, according to the Broward County sheriff. The attorney, William Dean, “wanted Baker to pay each of his clients more than $266,000, and, in exchange, the victims ... would either stop cooperating with prosecutors ... or change their initial sworn statements to police,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. The Giants traded up to select Baker with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. It’s uncertain if Baker will find his way back into the league. He could still face disciplinary action from the NFL.

This was expected after Baker was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list with 4 counts of armed robbery. The Giants gave up the 37th pick, the 132nd pick, and the 142nd pick to move up and grab Baker at the end of the first round in 2019 only to watch him get burned for six touchdowns and 15.7 yards per completion as a rookie, charged with armed robbery in his second year, and inevitably released altogether. Given the seriousness of Baker’s charges, this is likely the last we’ll see of him in the league for some time.

Baker’s status hasn’t changed after he was charged with four counts of robbery. The Giants signed Ross Cockrell and are expected to move on from Baker, but there’s been no comment from the team. Baker wouldn’t cost a roster spot if the Giants wait out his legal process. He’ll spend the year on the Exempt List if he isn’t waived.