Card: Sage 2017
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

After a pretty solid combine showing by Budda Baker, scouts pegged him to be a second round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. A burgeoning draft of impressive secondary playmakers, the 2017 draft boasted such names as Marshon Lattimore, Jamal Adams, Malik Hooker, and Adoree’ Jackson. Budda was selected near the top of round two by the Arizona Cardinals. He’d shine enough in camp that he’d scale the depth chart to become Tyrann Mathieu’s backup at strong safety. 

Budda had a well-rounded rookie season. He’d have 58 total tackles, a sack, 7 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles in 7 starts. Baker also had 16 special teams tackles- to rank him 3rd in the league. He’d be named first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl for his efforts.

The Cardinals felt comfortable enough to let Mathieu go in free agency for 2018. Baker had a good 2018, starting 13 games and posting 102 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pass deflection, and in 2019 posted another 100+ tackle season.