A trio of Arizona Cardinals receive Pro Bowl recognition
By Jim Koch
Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker garnered Pro Bowl recognition for their work with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020
The Arizona Cardinals have shown a fair amount of improvement over the past few months. With two games to play, the squad is making a strong bid for their first postseason appearance in five years. Several members of the roster have turned in impressive performances, but there are three Cardinals players who received Pro Bowl recognition for their accomplishments this fall.
It should come as no surprise that quarterback Kyler Murray is a part of the honored trio. The first-overall pick of the 2019 draft exploded during the current campaign, accounting for 4,378 yards from scrimmage and 37 total touchdowns. Based on what the 23-year old was able to do in just his second season, it would be logical to believe that there will be many more Pro Bowl nominations for Murray in the coming years.
Cards fans were jumping for joy back in March when DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the desert, and the outstanding wide receiver has not been a disappointment. In 14 starts for his new team, the 28-year old superstar has hauled in 103 passes for 1,324 yards and six touchdowns. The latest Pro Bowl nod is the fifth for Hopkins since he was drafted by the Houston Texans back in 2013.
Budda Baker, Arizona’s second-round selection back in 2017, has developed into one of the league’s most productive safeties. In 13 appearances this year, the 24-year old has been credited with 104 tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed and the first two interceptions of his professional career. Baker has now been voted to three Pro Bowls, two as a safety and the third for his sensational work as a special teams ace during his rookie campaign.
There are two Cardinals who didn’t make this season’s Pro Bowl who deserved consideration. Left tackle D.J. Humphries did a fantastic job of protecting Murray’s blindside in 2020. Cornerback Patrick Peterson has racked up 54 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups in the 14 matchups he has participated in this fall.