Chris Baker (DT) Hampton

[Hottoddie]

6'2" 326lbs.

He runs a 5.02 40 yard dash, has a 35.5" vertical & benched 225lbs. 24 times at the combine. He put up some impressive numbers at Hampton, but more impressively, he was putting up comparable numbers at Penn State prior to his legal troubles.

He ran into some trouble with off the field fighting issues, but seems to have put that behind him & cleaned up his act. He's projected to go anywhere from 2-6th round, depending upon whose projections you watch.

We've got Okam, but we'll need another monster DT to platoon at the position & Baker could be that guy. I've tried to find some video on him, but have been unsuccessful thus far. Anyone got any videos of him they'd like to share? He might be a nice 3rd or 4th round steal. Any takers?

He's the 8th DT.
http://walterfootball.com/draft2009DT.php

 

[Goldensilence]

Might have great value in later rounds. Honestly anything higher then a 4th and I'd be upset this regardless of past upper division play this team should not take another project player higher then the 4th.

 

[Goatcheese]

I took him in the 3rd in my early March Mock. Apparently nobody is interested in a more athletic version of B.J. Raji. Strange with this board's man crush on Raji IMO.

http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59383

 

[Goldensilence]

I took him in the 3rd in my early March Mock. Apparently nobody is interested in a more athletic version of B.J. Raji. Strange with this board's man crush on Raji IMO.

http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59383

I don't think it is strange as more it is a guy who has faced ACC competition vs someone who hasn't. Throw in the lat player we took from Hampton and it should be and easy connect the dots why people aren't high on him.

Past several drafts we've repeatedly taken picks on small school guys who are developmental players. Hit early with Mathis but burned out. Jones has burned but again aboutto crash. Next guy lined up is Molden . hate to keep pressing it but despite his measureables, which are first round, if this kids manages more no more action then a special teamer it's a waste of a third round pick two years running.

If the staff really believes the guy can be more then Frank Okam, awesome! If that's so hope we don't waste anything more than a 4th.

 

[Lucky]

He put up some impressive numbers at Hampton, but more impressively, he was putting up comparable numbers at Penn State prior to his legal troubles.

Right. And there's enough conflicting information regarding these incidents (from a fan perspective), to basically ignore them and concentrate on Baker's football abilities.

Baker seems to bridge the gap between what some feel the Texans lack at DT (size) and what the defensive style supposedly prefers (quickness). Without the expulsion following his soph year at Penn State, Baker would probably look like a late 1st round pick in this draft.