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Deandre Baker
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Deandre Lamar Baker (born September 4, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Baker played one season with the Giants before being released by them due to charges of armed robbery, which were later dropped. He has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]During his time at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Baker was an All-American sprinter and participated in the 4 × 100 metres relay on the second leg.[1]
College career
[edit]Baker signed with Georgia on National Signing Day, despite speculation that he would sign with Texas based on a tweet he sent out the night before.[2] As a true freshman at Georgia in 2015, Baker played in 11 games. During the 2016 season, Baker was injured in a game against Vanderbilt. He recovered, but was later injured against Georgia Tech.[3] Following the 2017 season, Baker was named to the Second-team All-Southeastern Conference.[4] Baker considered declaring for the 2018 NFL draft, but he ultimately elected to return to school for his senior year.[5]
Baker was one of the best cornerbacks in college football in his senior season. He allowed only 175 yards and a 40.2 NFL passer rating to opposing receivers in 2018, which both ranked in the top 5 of all draft eligible cornerbacks with a minimum of 300 coverage snaps. He was named a consensus 2018 All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the best defensive back in college football. Over his entire 4-year tenure at Georgia, Baker only allowed one touchdown.[6] Baker entered the 2019 NFL draft as one of the best cornerback prospects.
College statistics
[edit]| Year | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss | Sack | Int | Yards | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yards | TD | FF | ||
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 21 | 10 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 30 | 14 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 12.3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 31 | 9 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 81 | 40.5 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
32 in (0.81 m) |
9 in (0.23 m) |
4.51 s | 1.60 s | 2.63 s | 4.27 s | 6.95 s | 31.5 in (0.80 m) |
9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
14 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8][9] | ||||||||||||
New York Giants
[edit]
Baker was selected by the New York Giants in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft.[10] The Giants had traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire the pick giving up their 37th, 132nd and 142nd picks.[11]
Baker was placed on the commissioner's exempt list on July 27, 2020, following his May 2020 arrest.[12] The Giants waived Baker on September 8, 2020.[13]
Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]On November 19, 2020, Baker was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs.[14] He was elevated to the active roster on December 19, December 26, and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 15, 16, and 17 games against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Chargers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[15][16][17] Against the Chargers, Baker broke his femur on a non-contact play, becoming only the second NFL player to suffer a broken femur during a game. During the game, Baker recorded his first career sack on Justin Herbert.[18] He was placed on the practice squad/injured list on January 12, 2021.[19]
On February 9, 2021, Baker re-signed with the Chiefs.[20] He was waived on August 7, 2022.[21]
DC Defenders
[edit]On January 25, 2024, Baker signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL).[22] He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.[23] On June 2, 2025, Baker was named to the 2025 All-UFL Team.[24]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2019 | NYG | 16 | 15 | 61 | 48 | 13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2020 | KC | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | KC | 8 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 26 | 17 | 82 | 65 | 17 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |
Personal life
[edit]On May 14, 2020, a warrant was issued for Baker's arrest under charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm, along with Quinton Dunbar of the Seattle Seahawks.[25] The following day, Baker's lawyer issued a statement claiming that he was in possession of multiple affidavits allegedly exonerating his client.[26] The two allegedly robbed guests at gunpoint during a house party and had turned themselves in to the police by May 16.[27][28] On August 7, 2020, Baker was charged with four counts of robbery with a firearm.[29] There was evidence suggesting the alleged victims accepted $55,000 in exchange for changing their story in regards to Dunbar.[30] On November 16, 2020, the charges against Baker were dropped.[31][32]
References
[edit]- ^ Brumund-Smith, John (January 8, 2018). "ALABAMA VS. GEORGIA IN A 4X100M RELAY. WHO WINS?". Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Butler, Alex (February 4, 2015). "Despite a Texas tease, Northwestern's DeAndre Baker signs with Georgia". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ Butt, Jason (October 24, 2016). "Deandre Baker returns to practice after getting treatment over weekend". Macon Telegraph. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "2017 All-SEC Football Team announced". SEC Sports. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ Emerson, Seth (January 15, 2018). "Georgia CB Deandre Baker makes decision on NFL draft". DawgNation.com. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ McGuinness, Gordon (April 8, 2019). "Why Georgia's DeAndre Baker is a first-round talent in the 2019 NFL Draft". PFF. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ "Deandre Baker Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Draft Scout DeAndre Baker, Georgia NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Deandre Baker 2019 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "2019 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "Giants pick Deandre Baker in NFL draft after trading back into first round". New York Post. April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ "NFL places CB DeAndre Baker on Commissioner Exempt List". Giants.com. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ Eisen, Michael (September 8, 2020). "Giants waive cornerback DeAndre Baker". www.giants.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ^ Alper, Josh (November 19, 2020). "Andy Reid on DeAndre Baker: He'll be asked to work hard and keep his nose clean". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Goldman, Charles (December 19, 2020). "Chiefs announce flurry of roster moves on Saturday". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Goldman, Charles (December 26, 2020). "Chiefs announce several roster moves on Saturday". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Goldman, Charles (January 2, 2021). "Chiefs announce flurry of new roster moves on Saturday". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Goldman, Charles (January 12, 2021). "Chiefs sign QB Jordan Ta'amu to practice squad, cut Tyler Clark". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ Alper, Josh (February 10, 2021). "Chiefs sign Deandre Baker for 2021". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Dixon, John (August 7, 2022). "Chiefs release cornerback Deandre Baker". SBNation.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ "The UFL Agrees to Terms with 5 Players". UFLBoard.com. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team". www.theufl.com. June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "UFL Announces 2025 All-UFL Team". The UFL. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Rosenblatt, Zack (May 14, 2020). "Giants' DeAndre Baker to be arrested for armed robbery: Has he turned himself in yet? What happened? Here are more details". nj. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ Lombardo, Matt (May 16, 2020). "Attorney for Giants' DeAndre Baker claims witness affidavits reveal cornerback's innocence of armed robbery charges". NJ.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "NFL players surrender after robbery charge". BBC News. May 16, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (May 16, 2020). "Attorney says Deandre Baker turned himself in this morning". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (August 7, 2020). "DeAndre Baker faces four robbery charges, Quinton Dunbar not charged". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ Benton, Dan (July 11, 2020). "DeAndre Baker's attorneys dispute alleged pay-off cover-up". Giants Wire. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ Raanan, Jordan (November 16, 2020). "All charges dropped against ex-Giants CB Baker". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Olmeda, Rafael (November 16, 2020). "Lawyer accused of attempting to extort ex-NFL player DeAndre Baker". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- College statistics at Sports Reference
- Georgia Bulldogs bio
Deandre Baker
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
DeAndre Baker was born on September 4, 1997, in Miami, Florida.[2] He grew up in the Liberty City neighborhood of northwest Miami, a challenging urban environment where he was surrounded by both athletic talent and significant adversity, including the loss of peers to violence.[10][11] Baker is the son of Andre Baker, a property manager, and Chenika Chambers, an event planner known for her stylish influence on the family.[10] His parents emphasized discipline and structure to help him navigate the rough surroundings, with his father requiring nightly routines of 200 to 300 push-ups to build resilience.[11] As the middle child among five siblings—Jameshia, a junior high school teacher; Andre, a student at Albany State University aspiring to medical school; Asia, in the pharmacy program at the University of Florida; and Paris, a ninth-grade track athlete—Baker benefited from a tight-knit family that prioritized safety and support.[10][11] From infancy, Baker displayed an early fascination with football, sitting up to watch full games as if he were much older, according to his father.[11] He began playing youth football at age four, providing his initial informal exposure to the sport in Miami's competitive street and community settings before organized high school involvement.[10] By sixth grade, he recognized football as a potential pathway out of his circumstances, a perspective shaped by his upbringing.[11]High school career
DeAndre Baker attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he emerged as a standout athlete in both football and track and field.[2] Born and raised in the Miami area, his local roots influenced his development at the school known for producing NFL talent.[12] In football, Baker began his high school career as a wide receiver before switching to cornerback during a summer camp at Florida State University prior to his junior year.[13] As a junior in 2013, he recorded nine pass breakups and three interceptions while helping the Bulls return to the postseason.[14] His senior season in 2014 saw further excellence, with 31 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defended, and one forced fumble, earning him a spot in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl where he made one tackle.[13][15] Baker's speed and coverage skills made him a key defensive player for the team, contributing to their competitive performance in Florida's Class 6A.[16] On the track, Baker excelled as a sprinter, earning All-State honors in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes during his junior year and participating as the second leg in the school's 4 × 200-meter relay team that set a record time of 1:29.38 in 2014.[13][17] His track prowess complemented his football speed, leading to his recognition as the Miami-Dade Athlete of the Year for Class 8A-6A in 2015.[18] Baker's high school achievements drew recruiting interest from multiple programs, culminating in a three-star rating from major services like ESPN, 247Sports, and Rivals.[13] He committed to the University of Georgia in June 2014 after receiving an offer from defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, becoming the 10th pledge for the Bulldogs' 2015 class.[19] Despite a late push from Texas, including an official visit, Baker signed with Georgia on National Signing Day in February 2015.[15][20]College career
Playing career
Baker arrived at the University of Georgia as a true freshman in 2015, appearing in 11 games with limited defensive snaps primarily as a reserve cornerback, where he recorded his first career tackle in a victory over South Carolina.[21] Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, he focused on development amid a deep secondary rotation during head coach Mark Richt's final season.[22] In his sophomore year of 2016, following Kirby Smart's arrival as head coach, Baker began to emerge as a key contributor, initially rotating before securing the starting cornerback role after four games and starting the final seven contests of the season.[23] He demonstrated resilience by returning from an ankle injury sustained against Vanderbilt, helping stabilize the Bulldogs' pass defense as the team navigated a transitional year under Smart's new scheme.[24] As a junior in 2017, Baker established himself as a full-time starter in the secondary, alongside senior safety J.R. Reed, playing a pivotal role in Georgia's postseason surge, including the SEC Championship win over Auburn where he helped limit the Tigers' passing attack.[25] His coverage skills shone in high-stakes matchups, such as a game-sealing interception in overtime during the Rose Bowl semifinal victory against Oklahoma, propelling the Bulldogs to the national championship game.[26] Baker's consistent performance earned him second-team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches.[27] During his senior campaign in 2018, Baker captained the secondary and led the unit through a strong regular season, starting all 13 games and anchoring the defense during Georgia's run to the SEC Championship game against Alabama.[28] Opting to preserve his health for the NFL Draft, he sat out the Sugar Bowl matchup against Texas despite traveling with the team.[29] Over four years under Smart's tutelage, Baker evolved from a peripheral reserve into a vocal leader and lockdown defender, culminating in an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, which he declined to prioritize pro preparation.[30][31]College statistics
DeAndre Baker's college statistics reflect his development from a reserve freshman to a full-time starter and All-American cornerback at the University of Georgia. He appeared in 51 games over four seasons, with his role expanding significantly from 2016 onward, when he became a regular starter. His defensive contributions emphasized pass defense, with career totals of 7 interceptions and 26 pass deflections, alongside 127 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles. No notable special teams contributions were recorded during his college career.[32]| Year | Games Played | Starts | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Forced Fumbles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 7 | 31 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1.0 |
| 2017 | 15 | 14 | 44 | 30 | 14 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0.0 |
Professional career
New York Giants
Baker was selected by the New York Giants with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, after the team traded up from the 37th pick by sending their second-round selection, a fourth-round pick, and a fifth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks.[36][37] His selection was influenced by his standout college career at Georgia, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors and led the team in pass breakups.[36] Following the draft, Baker signed a four-year rookie contract worth $10,525,716, including $9,502,647 in guarantees and a $5,675,064 signing bonus.[38] As a first-round pick, he entered training camp competing for a starting cornerback role alongside veterans like Janoris Jenkins and rookie Corey Ballentine, showing early promise with his physicality and ball skills during preseason play.[39] In his 2019 rookie season, Baker appeared in all 16 games for the Giants, starting 15 of them and logging 970 defensive snaps, which accounted for 87% of the team's total defensive plays.[2] He recorded 61 total tackles (48 solo), two tackles for loss, eight passes defended, and no interceptions, contributing to a secondary that ranked 22nd in the NFL in pass defense.[40] Despite some inconsistency against top receivers, Baker demonstrated potential as a shutdown corner, particularly in man coverage, earning praise for his aggressive tackling and ability to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage.[41] Baker's tenure with the Giants ended abruptly when he was placed on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt List on July 27, 2020, amid ongoing legal proceedings stemming from an off-field incident, preventing his participation in team activities. The team ultimately waived him on September 8, 2020, without recouping the full guaranteed portion of his contract due to the circumstances.[41][42]Kansas City Chiefs
Following his waiver by the New York Giants in September 2020, Baker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on November 19, 2020.[43] He was elevated to the active roster twice during the 2020 season, on December 19 and December 26, appearing in two games with five combined tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed.[2] However, in the Chiefs' Week 17 regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on January 3, 2021, Baker suffered a non-contact left femur fracture during his first significant defensive snaps of the season, requiring surgery the following day and ending his campaign.[44] Despite the severe injury, the Chiefs signed Baker to a futures contract on February 9, 2021, retaining him for the 2021 season as he recovered.[45] Baker returned to play in eight regular-season games that year, primarily in a rotational role, recording 16 combined tackles and one pass defensed while starting one contest.[2] He also appeared in two playoff games, adding one tackle, as the Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship.[46] Entering 2022 as an exclusive rights free agent, Baker signed his tender on June 17, agreeing to a one-year deal worth approximately $1.035 million.[47] However, he saw limited action in training camp and preseason, logging minimal snaps amid intense competition at cornerback. The Chiefs released him on August 7, 2022, from their 90-man roster as they finalized preparations for the regular season.[48] Throughout his tenure with Kansas City, Baker faced significant hurdles in securing a prominent role due to the depth and talent in the Chiefs' secondary, coordinated by Steve Spagnuolo, who emphasized versatile, high-performing cornerbacks like Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams in subsequent drafts.[49] His injury recovery and the team's stacked depth chart limited him to a backup and special teams contributor, appearing in just 10 regular-season games over two years with 21 total tackles.[2]DC Defenders
Following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs, DeAndre Baker signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League on January 25, 2024. In the 2024 season, he established himself as a starting cornerback, appearing in all 10 regular-season games and recording 22 total tackles while allowing a 70.5 quarterback rating when targeted—the sixth-best mark in the league. His consistent coverage and defensive contributions were instrumental in strengthening the Defenders' secondary under head coach Reggie Barlow, earning him a selection to the All-UFL Team. Baker re-signed with the Defenders on January 31, 2025, committing to the team through the upcoming season. During the 2025 campaign, he continued as a starting cornerback under interim head coach Shannon Harris, playing in all 8 regular-season games and both playoff contests, where he added to the team's defensive resilience with timely disruptions in pass coverage. A highlight came in Week 8, when Baker secured a game-clinching interception against the Arlington Renegades quarterback Luis Perez, sealing a victory that clinched the Defenders' playoff spot. The team culminated the year by defeating the Michigan Panthers 58-34 to win the UFL Championship, with Baker's play helping anchor a defense that limited big plays in the postseason. His performance again resulted in an All-UFL Team nod.Career statistics
NFL statistics
DeAndre Baker's NFL career spanned three seasons with the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs, where he primarily contributed as a cornerback on defense and occasionally on special teams. His statistical output reflected a rookie year as a full-time starter followed by limited rotational roles due to depth chart positioning and off-field circumstances.[2] The following table summarizes his regular-season defensive statistics:| Year | Team | Games (G) | Games Started (GS) | Tackles (Comb/Solo/Ast) | Interceptions (Int) | Passes Defended (PD) | Sacks | Forced Fumbles (FF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | NYG | 16 | 15 | 61/48/13 | 0 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2020 | KC | 2 | 1 | 5/4/1 | 0 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | KC | 8 | 1 | 16/13/3 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Career | 26 | 17 | 82/65/17 | 0 | 10 | 1.0 | 0 |
UFL statistics
DeAndre Baker joined the DC Defenders in the United Football League (UFL) in 2024, playing in nine regular season games and recording 22 total tackles (19 solo, 3 assisted), 3 pass deflections, 1 tackle for loss (-3 yards), and 1 fumble recovery, while allowing a 70.5 quarterback rating when targeted, the sixth-best mark in the league.[51][1] In 2025, he appeared in all 8 regular season games and both postseason games en route to the Defenders' UFL championship, amassing 22 total tackles (including 4 for loss), 2 interceptions, and 10 pass deflections during the regular season alone.[52][53] A highlight was his game-clinching interception in a regular season victory.[54] Following his NFL tenure, Baker exhibited improved coverage efficiency in the UFL, evidenced by his low passer rating allowed in 2024 and increased takeaways in 2025, contributing to back-to-back All-UFL selections.[1][55]| Year | Games Played | Starts | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Regular Season) | 9 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
| 2025 (Regular Season) | 8 | 6 | 22 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0.0 |
| 2025 (Postseason) | 2 | - | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |