Who Should I Start? Quintez Cephus or Javon Baker

Sunday, August 24, 8:45 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Quintez Cephus finished the preseason on a high note, catching four of his seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown against his former team, the Lions. Cephus' six-yard touchdown catch from Graham Mertz put the Texans ahead 16-7 just before halftime, and they went on to win 26-7. The Texans did not play starting quarterback C.J. Stroud or primary backup Davis Mills, but Cephus looked productive playing with rookie Graham Mertz. Cephus was a fifth-round pick of the Lions in 2020 and played three seasons in Detroit. He missed a season due to a suspension for violating the league's gambling policy and has since spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Texans. He doesn't look likely to end up on the Texans' final roster, but he probably showed enough to get a look from another NFL team or at least end up on a practice squad somewhere.

Tuesday, August 12, 1:08 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker has been working with the special teams unit during practice and in the preseason opener against Washington. Additionally, the second-year wideout continuously makes highlight catches when given the opportunity on offense. It's a positive to see Baker taking on and succeeding in any possible role under the new coaching staff, as it could earn him an opportunity down the line in a thin receiver room. The 23-year-old saw little action as a rookie but brings good size at 6'2", 195 pounds, along with solid athleticism and a strong final season at UCF. He totaled over 1,100 receiving yards and averaged 21.9 yards per reception, the second most in the country. There is still upside in the tank with Baker, and he could be a name to keep in mind if he gets an opportunity.