Arizona Cardinals: 5 players to build future around

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Safety Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals tackles wide receiver Pharoh Cooper #10 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Safety Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals tackles wide receiver Pharoh Cooper #10 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 08: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles is upended by Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals after making a catch for a first down during the first quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 08: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles is upended by Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals after making a catch for a first down during the first quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Budda Baker

Sure the Cardinals had a good idea what they had in this second-round selection of the 2017 NFL Draft.  However he’s even surprised some as to how far how fast he has come since training camp.

For a guy that has only started three games his statistics do not look bad at all.  His name is getting called more and more.  He has 50 tackles on the season.

Along with those 50 tackles, he has one sack, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.  He knows where the ball is.

He had been not only a force on defense from his safety position but on special teams as well.  He was convinced he had stripped a ball away from Rams kick returner Pharoh Cooper.

The play was ruled down but the Cardinals challenged and lost.  Although Baker was adamant he got the ball, it wasn’t to be there.

That being said, that is the kind of competitor Baker is.  He is not the tallest man in the game at 5’10, however he plays bigger than his actual size.  He will be paying dividends for the Cardinals for years to come.

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