Jerome Baker

Jerome Baker Player Profile

Summary

Jerome Baker was drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Round 3, (pick 73) out of Ohio State. Baker is a modern‑style linebacker whose strength lies in his athleticism, coverage capability, and production in space. He brings value as a player who can defend the run, drop into zones, blitz, and roam sideline to sideline. His draft profile and subsequent NFL production reflect this blend of traits.

That said, his profile is not without caveats. In matchups where physicality, anchor strength or raw size are paramount—such as heavy base run downs or battling lead blockers—he may not be the top performer. Additionally, consistency and health are factors that shape how much he can do as a true every‑down force.

Overall, Baker projects as a strong starting linebacker in the right scheme. He’s especially well‑suited for defenses that deploy sub‑packages, ask linebackers to cover and blitz as much as they tackle, and utilize movement rather than pure brute strength at every down.

Strengths

  • Sideline‑to‑sideline range and athleticism: Baker entered the league with above‑average speed and lateral agility for a linebacker, enabling him to cover a lot of ground and be effective in space. Bleacher Report

  • Coverage ability and versatility in space: He’s shown the capability to drop into coverage, defend backs/TEs, and operate in “hybrid” roles rather than purely being a traditional run‑thumper. Bleacher Report

  • Production and consistency: He has multiple seasons with 100+ tackles, indicating he can be a productive every‑down player when healthy. RotoWire

  • Disruptive plays and pass‑rush upside: While not an elite pass‑rusher, Baker has shown ability to generate sacks and tackles for loss, adding value as a multi‑threat linebacker. Cleveland Browns

Weaknesses

  • Play strength / physicality at the point of attack: Some scouting reports flagged that he could be overpowered by stronger blockers in the run game or struggle when required to play power/block‑shedding roles. Bleacher Report

  • Man coverage vs tight ends / contested situations: While good in zone and space, his one‑on‑one man coverage, especially against larger or more physical tight ends, was noted as an area for improvement. The-Ozone

  • Frame/size trade‑offs for certain roles: At 232 lbs and 6′2″, Baker’s size is solid but not elite for some interior linebacker roles; his height and arm‑length may limit certain matchups. Big Blue View

  • Injury / consistency concerns: Though he has been productive, fluctuations in snap counts and some injuries have impacted his availability in certain seasons. RotoWire

Fit & Outlook

  • Fit:

  • Ideal in systems that:

    • use nickel/dime frequently and ask linebackers to cover, blitz, and navigate space rather than simply anchor vs. power run every down.

    • have complementary defenders who handle heavy run‑down duties so Baker can exploit his strengths in space.

  • Less optimal in defenses that demand a full‑time inside linebacker with elite size and brute strength on every down.

  • Outlook:

  • Short‑Term (Next season): Expect Baker to be a key contributor in terms of tackles, coverage snaps, and perhaps blitz packages if healthy and fully integrated with his new team (Cleveland Browns).

  • Medium‑Term (Next 2‑3 years): If he remains healthy and continues refining his strength, technique and role, he could solidify into one of the better “athletic” linebackers in the league—especially in sub‑package heavy systems.