Draft Stock - Profiles

Strengths: Good frame, quick feet, outstanding technique
Weaknesses: Lacks overpowering strength; short arms for a left tackle

Statline: Three-time All-American locked down the left tackle position for an offense that averaged 435 yards per game his senior season. Allowed one sack in his career at USC.

Technique: Finesse-type blocker with outstanding technique and quick feet.

Known Injuries: Missed all of two games and parts of two others with a hamstring injury in 2007. Also suffered cracked rib during 2007 preseason workouts. Played through a left knee sprain in 2006 that ultimately required arthroscopic surgery. Played through a bone chip in his knee in 2005.

Combine / Workout Assessment: COMING SOON

Analysis: While scouts have picked apart Baker’s physical attributes—arms too short, hands too small, not strong enough to dominate as a left tackle—there’s no questioning his ability to get the job done. Baker uses quick feet and outstanding technique to seal off defenders, and his frame is capable of supporting a few extra pounds if he wants (or needs) to bulk up. A handful of tackles have leap-frogged Baker on most draft boards, primarily because Baker is viewed by some as a bit soft. However, he’ll be a perfect fit for a zone-blocking team that asks him to use his quick feet and get position rather than overpower defenders at the line of scrimmage. He may slide out of the first round, but with a premium placed on protecting the passer and more teams using a zone-blocking scheme he’ll unquestionably find a home before the first day of the draft has concluded.