Budda Baker
28-Year-Old
2023 Defense Stats
TCKL
87
SACKS
0.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The biggest knock on Baker in recent seasons has been his inability to stay on the field, as he suffered a shoulder fracture that ended his 2022 season in Week 15 and a hamstring strain cost him five games last year and sent him to injured reserve. When he was on the field in 2023, Baker maintained his role as a mainstay in the defensive unit, which is notable given the overhaul of the coaching staff and the subsequent shift in roles for some of the team's key defensive players. The results on the field were mixed, as Baker delivered an impressive 7.25 tackles per game. On the other hand, he lost a significant amount of playmaking ability, failing to deliver a pass breakup in a season for the first time in his career and going an entire season without an interception for the first time since 2019 - potentially caused by the aforementioned hamstring issue he suffered in Week 2. Assuming there are no health issues in training camp, it's reasonable to project that Baker returns to his familiar playmaking form in 2024. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Falls short of 100 tackles in 2023
Baker accumulated 87 tackles across 12 regular-season games in 2023.
ANALYSIS
Since opening his career with 74 tackles as a second-round rookie in 2017, Baker reached the century mark in the category in five of the next six campaigns, but falling short of that in the most recent season isn't shocking considering he was on injured reserve Weeks 2-6. His prorated (to 17 games) tackle count was 123, which would have been the second most to his actual tally of 147 from 2019. Otherwise, Baker didn't notch any sacks for the second year in a row and snapped his run of multiple interceptions at three seasons. He has one year remaining on his current contract, so a bounceback may be in the offing as he seeks another big payday.
Since opening his career with 74 tackles as a second-round rookie in 2017, Baker reached the century mark in the category in five of the next six campaigns, but falling short of that in the most recent season isn't shocking considering he was on injured reserve Weeks 2-6. His prorated (to 17 games) tackle count was 123, which would have been the second most to his actual tally of 147 from 2019. Otherwise, Baker didn't notch any sacks for the second year in a row and snapped his run of multiple interceptions at three seasons. He has one year remaining on his current contract, so a bounceback may be in the offing as he seeks another big payday.
NFL Stats
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2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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2023 Budda Baker Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Budda Baker's measurables compare to other safeties?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
195 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.45 secShuttle Time
4.08 secCone Drill
6.76 secVertical Jump
32.5 inBroad Jump
115 inBench Press
15 repsHand Length
9.00 inArm Length
30.75 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Gets long-awaited pay raises
Baker received pay raises for the next two seasons Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The veteran safety has been in search of a long-term extension, but Thursday's developments represent the next-best alternative. Rapoport reports Baker will earn an additional $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives this season and will also receive an undisclosed raise for 2024. Baker's presence right from the start of training camp after he'd requested a trade as recently as April is especially important as the team installs the defensive scheme of new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
The veteran safety has been in search of a long-term extension, but Thursday's developments represent the next-best alternative. Rapoport reports Baker will earn an additional $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives this season and will also receive an undisclosed raise for 2024. Baker's presence right from the start of training camp after he'd requested a trade as recently as April is especially important as the team installs the defensive scheme of new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Baker has racked up triple-digit tackles four times in the last five years, and the 27-year-old went looking for a contract extension this offseason, or a trade to a team that would give him one. New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon appears to be preparing for the safety's departure by shifting Isaiah Simmons to the secondary, and the fight for snaps between Simmons, Baker and Jalen Thompson could end up hurting the fantasy value of all three. Until a reduced role actually materializes, though, Baker's speed and nose for the football make him an elite option.
More Fantasy News
Double-digit tackles in loss
Baker recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 27-16 loss to the Bears.
ANALYSIS
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Held to five tackles in loss
Baker accounted for five tackles (three solo) during Sunday's 45-29 loss to San Francisco.
ANALYSIS
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Will play versus Niners
Baker (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
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Iffy for Sunday due to illness
Baker was a late addition to the Cardinals' injury report and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers due to an illness, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Has another good showing
Baker recorded eight tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 24-10 win at Pittsburgh.
ANALYSIS
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