Darrell Baker Jr

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		48	—	19	130
2025		17	0	7	55
2024		17	0	5	40
2023		14	0	7

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Among CB contracts at this AAV tier, Darrell Baker Jr. earns a B- Contract Value Index. At $1.4M annually on a one-year deal, he represents a low-cost depth signing aligned with a cornerback coming off a solid 2025 season—55 tackles across 17 games—who projects as rotational depth rather than an immediate starter. The contract structure, which reportedly guarantees a 2026 roster spot, signals Miami views him as more than typical camp fodder, though the modest AAV reflects his status as an unproven commodity at the NFL level. At 27 and in his fourth year, Baker Jr. is past the typical developmental window, meaning the Dolphins are banking on immediate or near-term contributions rather than long-term upside—a realistic ask for a depth cornerback role. Media framing and fan sentiment both align on cautious optimism: this is a sensible low-risk addition to the secondary, but Baker Jr. will need to prove he can stick as a rotational option to justify the guaranteed 2026 commitment. The one-year structure gives Miami flexibility to move on if he underperforms, making the CVI grade a fair reflection of a prudent, conservative depth acquisition in the secondary market.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Darrell's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Darrell Baker Jr. is a 28-year-old cornerback in his third NFL season with the Miami Dolphins, operating as a depth starter with moderate upside. Through 48 career games, Baker has established himself as a tackling-first defender whose role remains contingent on consistent performance and opportunity scarcity at the position. His current C-grade reflects a player hovering around league average, neither a liability nor an impact contributor at his position. Baker's defining strength is his above-average tackle production at 3.24 per game, notably outpacing the NFL average of 2.31 and demonstrating a willingness to fill lanes and attack downhill. His pass defense metric of 0.41 per game sits modestly above the league average of 0.33, suggesting competent coverage awareness without elite ball skills. The core weakness remains his inconsistency: after posting a D+ grade in 2024, Baker has recovered to a C this season, but the volatility raises durability and concentration concerns that scouts monitor closely in veteran cornerbacks. Looking ahead, Baker's trajectory hinges on whether this C-grade season represents stabilization or a plateau. At 28 with limited elite measurement or production benchmarks, his ceiling appears bounded—likely a reliable reserve rather than a starter caliber competitor. The Dolphins' investment in his development will be worth monitoring; sustained performance above 0.35 pass defenses per game and consistency in the C-plus range could extend his NFL tenure, but regression would accelerate his transition to backup status or free agency.

How Darrell Compares at the Position

Darrell Baker Jr ranks 107th of 272 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Darrell between Cobie Durant (C+) just ahead and Cor'dale Flott (C) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Dolphins add CB depth with Baker Jr., a modest roster move. Five headlines confirm placement on active/PUP list ahead of training camp. Immediate PUP designation signals injury concerns or recovery from prior issues. Fans view this as routine depth addition rather than meaningful upgrade. Baker Jr. must prove health and competitiveness during camp evaluation period.