Jerome Baker (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jerome Baker
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Cleveland Browns
| number =
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|12|25}}
| birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 232
| high_school = Benedictine (Cleveland)
| college = Ohio State (2015–2017)
| draftyear = 2018
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 73
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 648
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 24.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 7
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 25
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 5
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 = 2
| pfr = BakeJe00
}}
Jerome Baker (born December 25, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Early life
Baker attended Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio.{{Cite news |last=Axelrod |first=Ben |date=January 8, 2018 |title=Ohio State LB, former Benedictine star Jerome Baker declares for 2018 NFL Draft |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/college/osu/ohio-state-lb-former-benedictine-star-jerome-baker-declares-for-2018-nfl-draft/95-506239733 |access-date=November 2, 2018 |work=WKYC}} He was a member of the 2014 State Championship football team while at Benedictine{{Cite web |title=Benedictine football wins Division IV state championship with 21-14 victory over Kettering Archbishop Alter |url=http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-7685546658043496095/benedictine-football-wins-division-iv-state-championship-with-21-14-victory-over-kettering-archbishop-alter/ |access-date=January 24, 2019 |website=cleveland.com}} and was considered the #2 recruit in the state of Ohio for the class of 2015.{{Cite web |title=ESPN Football Recruiting - Player Rankings - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/playerrankings |access-date=January 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}} He originally committed to the University of Florida to play college football, but changed his commitment to Ohio State University.{{cite web | last=Wasserman | first=Ari | title=How Benedictine's Jerome Baker told Ohio State's Urban Meyer 'No,' and why it turned to 'Yes': Buckeyes recruiting | website=cleveland.com | date=2014-10-31 | url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2014/10/how_benedictine_lb_jerome_bake.html | access-date=2024-10-12}}{{Cite news |title=The top recruit in Ohio flipped his commitment from Florida to Ohio State |work=SI.com |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2014/10/21/jerome-baker-recruiting-flips-florida-ohio-state |access-date=November 2, 2018}}
College career
Baker played at Ohio State from 2015 to 2017.{{Cite news |title=The 'real Baker' should be improved in second year as Ohio State starter |language=en |work=My Dayton Daily News |url=http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/sports/the-real-baker-should-improved-second-year-ohio-state-starter/6qnEyjUIQGqJVn1MDJRtqK/ |access-date=November 2, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Rabinowitz |first=Bill |title=Ohio State football |work=The Columbus Dispatch |url=http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20170926/ohio-state-football--linebacker-jerome-baker-learns-from-defensive-line |access-date=November 2, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127110620/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20170926/ohio-state-football--linebacker-jerome-baker-learns-from-defensive-line |url-status=dead }} After his junior season in 2017, he decided to forgo his senior year to enter the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite news |title=OSU's Baker skipping senior year to enter draft |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/story/_/id/22005194/ohio-state-junior-linebacker-jerome-baker-skipping-senior-season-enter-nfl-draft |access-date=November 2, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=May |first=Tim |title=Jerome Baker declares for NFL draft |work=The Columbus Dispatch |url=http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180108/ohio-state-football--jerome-baker-declares-for-nfl-draft |access-date=November 2, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127235819/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180108/ohio-state-football--jerome-baker-declares-for-nfl-draft |url-status=dead }} During his career, he had 159 tackles, seven sacks, and two interceptions.{{Cite web |title=Jerome Baker College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jerome-baker-1.html |access-date=November 2, 2018 |website=Sports Reference}} Baker played in 33 games with 25 starts in his career at Ohio State, and was named Honorable Mention All-Big 10 in 2016 and 2017, both seasons in which he was a full-time starter.https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/football/roster/jerome-baker/6125
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
On January 8, 2018, Baker released a statement on his Twitter account announcing his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2018 |title=Ohio State's Jerome Baker entering NFL draft |url=http://www.news-herald.com/sports/20180108/ohio-states-jerome-baker-entering-nfl-draft |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=news-herald.com |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824034154/http://www.news-herald.com/sports/20180108/ohio-states-jerome-baker-entering-nfl-draft |url-status=dead }} Baker attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed the majority of combine drills, but opted to skip the short shuttle and three-cone drill. On March 22, he participated at Ohio State's pro day and performed the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills. Baker attended pre-draft visits with the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |last=Hope, Dan |date=April 6, 2018 |title=Jerome Baker Reportedly Visits San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars |url=https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/ohio-state-football/2018/04/92297/jerome-baker-reportedly-visits-san-francisco-49ers-denver-broncos-and-jacksonville-jaguars |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=elevenwarriors.com}} After the pre-draft process, Baker was projected to be a third or fourth-round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the seventh-best linebacker in the draft by Sports Illustrated, was ranked the seventh-best outside linebacker by Scouts Inc., and was ranked the 12th best outside linebacker by DraftScout.com.{{Cite web |title=*Jerome Baker, DS #12 OLB, Ohio State |url=http://draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=1002518&draftyear=2018&genpos=OLB |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |title=NFL Jerome Baker-ESPN |url=http://espn.com/nfl/draftcard?playerId=101658 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=The 2018 NFL Draft Big Board, Vol. 2 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/03/07/nfl-draft-top-prospects-big-board-top-100 |access-date=August 22, 2018 |website=si.com}}
{{external media
| video1 =
[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000924702/Jerome-Baker-s-full-2018-NFL-Scouting-Combine-workout Jerome Baker's NFL Combine Workout]
| video2 =
[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000919308/Jerome-Baker-runs-4-53-40-yard-dash Jerome Baker's 40-yard dash]
}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/8
| weight = 229
| dash = 4.53
| ten split = 1.60
| twenty split = 2.68
| shuttle = 4.15
| cone drill = 6.93
| vertical = 36 1/2
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 6
| bench = 22
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31 1/2
| hand span = 10 3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Ohio State's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Jerome Baker Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jerome-baker/32004241-4b23-5897-aef9-6a41c25680b7 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=National Football League}}{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Scout Jerome Baker College Football Profile |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1002518&DraftYear=2018 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
{{external media
| video1 =
[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000929639/Dolphins-select-Jerome-Baker-No-73-in-the-2018-NFL-Draft Dolphins draft Jerome Baker 73rd overall]
}}
=Miami Dolphins=
==2018==
The Miami Dolphins selected Baker in the third round with the 73rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Baker was the tenth linebacker selected.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Miami Dolphins 2018 draft results: Third round selection is Jerome Baker |url=https://www.thephinsider.com/2018/4/27/17288114/miami-dolphins-2018-draft-results-third-round-selection-is-jerome-baker |access-date=June 23, 2018 |website=ThePhinsider.com}} He was reunited with former Ohio State teammate Raekwon McMillan.
On June 2, 2018, the Dolphins signed Baker to a four-year, $3.80 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $975,200.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Jerome Baker contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/jerome-baker-25172/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}} Throughout training camp, Baker competed to be the starting strongside linebacker after the role was left vacant by the departure of Lawrence Timmons. Baker competed against Mike Hull, Stephone Anthony, Chase Allen, and Quentin Poling.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2018 |title=Dolphins rookie LB Jerome Baker says you won't think he's small once he hits you |url=http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2018/05/12/dolphins-rookie-lb-jerome-baker-says-you-wont-think-hes-small-once-he-hits-you/ |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com}} Head coach Adam Gase named Baker and Kiko Alonso the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season. They started alongside middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan.{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Miami Dolphins reveal regular-season depth chart and we learned this |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins-reveal-regular-season-depth-chart-and-learned-this/aSKVujMzGlphBY2ZOLi7QN/ |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=PalmBeachPost.com |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122044250/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins-reveal-regular-season-depth-chart-and-learned-this/aSKVujMzGlphBY2ZOLi7QN/ |url-status=dead }}
He made his professional regular-season debut and first career start in the Dolphins' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans, and made six combined tackles during their 27–20 victory. In Week 4, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (six solos) as the Dolphins lost 38–7 at the New England Patriots. The following week, he recorded seven combined tackles and made two sacks during a 27–17 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.{{Cite news |title=Dolphins' Jerome Baker's Ohio homecoming dampened despite hitting a milestone |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article219649370.html |work=Miami Herald |access-date=November 2, 2018}} On November 4, Baker made five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and caught his first career interception during the Dolphins' 13–6 win against the New York Jets in Week 9.{{Cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Jerome Baker (2018) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jeromebaker/2560966/gamelogs |access-date=January 22, 2019 |website=NFL.com}} He finished his rookie season with 79 combined tackles (57 solos), three pass deflections, three sacks, one interception, and one touchdown in 16 games with 11 starts. Baker earned an overall grade of 70.3 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 29th best among all qualified linebackers in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Focus: Jerome Baker |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/jerome-baker/28091 |access-date=January 22, 2019 |website=ProFootballFocus.com}}
==2019==
In Week 2 against the Patriots, Baker recorded a team-high 12 tackles as the Dolphins lost 43–0.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2019 |title=Newcomer Brown scores as Patriots beat Dolphins 43-0 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127862 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, Baker recorded a team-high eight tackles and one sack on quarterback Brian Hoyer in the 16–12 win.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2019 |title=Dolphins cash in on Colts turnovers, earn 2nd straight win |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127986 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 15 against the New York Giants, Baker recorded a team-high 12 tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Eli Manning during the 36–20 loss.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2019 |title=Manning throws 2 TDs, Barkley scores 2, Giants end long skid |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128060 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} He finished the 2019 season with 126 tackles, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception.{{Cite web |title=Jerome Baker 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeJe00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
==2020==
Baker was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Dolphins on July 31, 2020,{{Cite news |last=Schad, Joe |date=July 31, 2020 |title=Miami Dolphins' Jerome Baker goes on COVID-19 list |work=PalmBeachPost.com |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20200731/miami-dolphinsrsquo-jerome-baker-goes-on-covid-19-list |access-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805081706/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20200731/miami-dolphinsrsquo-jerome-baker-goes-on-covid-19-list |url-status=dead }} and activated from the list three days later.{{Cite news |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Dolphins Activate Jerome Baker, Awarded Picasso Nelson Jr. |work=MiamiDolphins.com |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-activate-jerome-baker-awarded-picasso-nelson-jr |access-date=August 3, 2020}}
In Week 1 against the Patriots, Baker recorded a team-high 16 tackles (12 solo), sacked quarterback Cam Newton once, and forced wide receiver N'Keal Harry to fumble the football in the endzone for a touchback during the 21–11 loss.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - September 13th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009130nwe.htm |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference}} In Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Baker led the team with 9 tackles and sacked Patrick Mahomes 2.5 times during the 33–27 loss. One of Baker's sacks on Mahomes resulted in a loss of 30 yards.{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins - December 13th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012130mia.htm |access-date=2020-12-18 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
==2021==
Baker signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Dolphins on June 13, 2021.{{Cite news |date=June 13, 2021 |title=Miami Dolphins sign LB Jerome Baker to contract extension |work=MiamiDolphins.com |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-lb-jerome-baker-to-contract-extension |access-date=June 16, 2021}}
==2023==
On January 9, 2024, the Dolphins placed Baker on injured reserve.{{cite web|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-1-9-24|work=MiamiDolphins.com|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|date=January 9, 2024|accessdate=January 10, 2024}} On March 5, Baker was released.{{Cite news|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-3-5-24|work=MiamiDolphins.com|date=March 5, 2024|access-date=March 6, 2024}} Contract negotiations between Miami and Baker had been proposed at the NFL Combine, but they fell through.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Omar |date=2024-03-05 |title=Dolphins release Jerome Baker to clear nearly $10 million in cap space |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-release-jerome-baker-to-clear-cap-space |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Sports Illustrated Miami Dolphins News, Analysis and More |language=en}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
On March 16, 2024, Baker signed with the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web | last=Horton | first=Ari | title=Seahawks Sign LB Jerome Baker | website=Seahawks.com| date=2024-03-16 | url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-lb-jerome-baker | access-date=2024-10-08}}
On July 18, 2024, Baker was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.{{cite web | last=Boyle | first=John | title=Seahawks Place Seven On Physically Unable To Perform List Ahead Of 2024 Training Camp | website=Seahawks.com| date=2024-07-18 | url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-place-seven-on-physically-unable-to-perform-list-ahead-of-2024-training-camp | access-date=2024-10-08}} On July 23, he was activated from the PUP list after passing his physical.{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Corbin K. | title=Seattle Seahawks Activate Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson From PUP List | website=SI.com | date=2024-07-23 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/seahawks-news/seattle-seahawks-activate-jerome-baker-tyrel-dodson-from-pup-list | access-date=2024-10-08}} He appeared in 5 games with the Seahawks, making 37 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.{{citation |title=Jerome Baker 2024 Game Log |website=Pro Football Reference |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LyncJa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=Jan 8, 2025}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On October 23, 2024, Baker and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick was sent to the Tennessee Titans in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for Ernest Jones.{{cite web|last1=Patra|first1=Kevin|title=Seahawks trading Jerome Baker, fourth-round pick to Titans for Ernest Jones in linebacker swap|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/seahawks-titans-trade-jerome-baker-ernest-jones|website=NFL.com|access-date=October 23, 2024|date=October 23, 2024}}{{cite web|last1=Boyle|first1=John|title=Seahawks Agree To Trade With Titans For LB Ernest Jones IV|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-agree-to-trade-with-titans-for-lb-ernest-jones-iv|website=NFL.com|access-date=October 23, 2024|date=October 23, 2024}} He appeared in 5 games with the Titans, making 24 tackles, one sack, and two pass deflections.
=Cleveland Browns=
On March 24, 2025, Baker signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |last=Petrovic |first=Niko |date=2025-03-22 |title=Cleveland native Jerome Baker signs with the Browns! |url=https://www.lakeeffectfootball.com/post/cleveland-native-jerome-baker-signs-with-the-browns |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=LakeEffectFootball |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Browns sign LB Jerome Baker|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-lb-jerome-baker|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=March 22, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/jerome-baker/ Cleveland Browns bio]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064117/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jerome_baker_972168.html Ohio State Buckeyes bio]
- {{twitter|Lastname_Baker}}
{{Cleveland Browns roster navbox}}
{{Dolphins2018DraftPicks}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Jerome}}
Category:Players of American football from Cleveland
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Seattle Seahawks players