The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly among several teams that have inquired about free-agent cornerback DeAndre Baker, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (h/t to Patrick Tulini for the find). The Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys are the other teams that have been identified by The Post.
Baker was facing four counts of robbery with a firearm, which cost the cornerback his job with the New York Giants and could have led to a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted. In Florida, the State Attorney's Office recently dropped all charges against Baker hours after the Broward County Sheriff's Office arrested attorney William Dean on charges of extortion and altered testimony.
Per The Post, Baker's attorneys reportedly maintained that their client was a victim of extortion.
"I always had trust in my lawyers, and I kept praying every day," Baker told Schwartz on Monday. "I have a praying family. So I always knew I would get through this situation if we stayed honest with ourselves.
"There were a few little moments but just because of the situation, knowing I should be on the field. But there was never a moment when I felt this day would never come. I knew it was coming, just never knew when."
The Giants drafted Baker out of Georgia with the No. 30 overall pick last year. The team waived him on September 8.
Baker recorded 61 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and eight passes defensed in 16 games and 15 starts for New York during his rookie campaign.
"I can be a great guy in any locker room they put me in," Baker told The Post. "I never had a record in my life. I was never in any trouble in my life, and still, to this day, I haven't been in any trouble up until this event. I don't think I'm a risk to any team. I feel like I'm a benefit to any team right now."
