All signs point to the Patriots already having a WR1 on the roster

Besides the obvious quarterback competition fans and reporters have focused on all offseason, there is a big roster battle within the receiving corps. As the second week of training camp begins, the team has 12 pass catchers signed. Several will be cut as the regular season nears, but one player looks to have already secured his spot, much like DeMario Douglas did last year.

Although they weren't the players most had dreamt about the Patriots picking, expectations were high for Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, the two receivers the team drafted earlier this year.

There was a lot more optimism behind Polk, as he was a second-rounder, but Baker has been the one consistently moving the spotlight to him over the last two weeks.

The rookie has been the star of the show during nearly every practice, having at least one highlight-worthy play to end the day with. That continued on Monday when Baker made an outstanding catch from an impressive throw by Jacoby Brissett.

It might be training camp, and until Monday's practice, it was non-padded, but Baker continues to prove that he might be the WR1 the Patriots have longed for.

Javon Baker continues to stand out with eye-popping plays at Patriots training camp

Much of the offseason in New England has been spent proposing trades for big-name receivers like Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins, both of which are looking for extensions with the current teams and are yet to get deals done. The Patriots have been connected to them in various trade ideas, primarily due to their need for that caliber of player on offense.

That has arguably been the case since Tom Brady was still on the team, and the hope has been to give Drake Maye the best set of weapons the team possibly can, so adding an Aiyuk or Higgins seems to be the best way to do that.

While trades for either player are still possible, the Patriots might not be as concerned about pursuing one with Baker's consistently impressive performances at practice.

He has been the best receiver on the field by far, and if that remains the case with pads and during the preseason, looking elsewhere for a receiver might not be necessary, at least not this year.

There's certainly an argument to be made that reaching such conclusions this early in training camp is a bit premature, and most can agree. However, it would be an exciting and unexpected development if Baker rises to the ranks and becomes the player the Patriots have been needing for quite some time.

As training camp progresses, we'll see if Baker can maintain this level of performance and what that might mean. But for now, it's an excellent sign for the offense to see a young player shining each day on the field.

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