Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft Profile: Budda Baker
By Kirk Binder
Budda Baker was an exceptional playmaker for the Washington Huskies. While the Huskies defensive backfield was stacked with other first/second-round talents such as Sydney Jones and Kevin King, Baker still stood out.
Critics will point to Baker’s size as a potential weakness transitioning to the NFL. At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds he is not of an ideal size, but he is not that small either. The size of his heart and determination cannot be measured, and if they were they would be off the charts.
Last season he led the team with 70 tackles while contributing 9.5 tackles for loss. He had two interceptions, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Furthermore, he added three sacks just for good measure.
At the NFL Combine Baker ran a great 4.45-40 yard dash. His 3-cone-drill was clocked at 6.76 seconds and his 20-yard shuttle was 4.08 seconds. All three drills placed in the top-3 for his position.
In Baker’s NFL Draft profile by Lance Zierlein, comments were made about what he brings to the table:
"Tremendously explosive and passionate in his play. Former high school track sprinter with good play speed. Screams off the edge as a blitzer. Always bouncing on balls of his feet just waiting to race to the action on a dead sprint. Plays with smooth backpedal and diagonal shuffle. Has a shiftiness that allows him to mirror change of direction in space. Plus instincts from any coverage areas. Allows quarterback’s eyes and pattern recognition to carry him around the field. Not easily pulled from coverage responsibilities by bait routes around him. Has the click and close ability of a cornerback in coverage. Tremendously explosive and passionate in his play. Former high school track sprinter with good play speed. Screams off the edge as a blitzer. Always bouncing on balls of his feet just waiting to race to the action on a dead sprint. Plays with smooth backpedal and diagonal shuffle. Has a shiftiness that allows him to mirror change of direction in space. Plus instincts from any coverage areas. Allows quarterback’s eyes and pattern recognition to carry him around the field. Not easily pulled from coverage responsibilities by bait routes around him. Has the click and close ability of a cornerback in coverage."
It is his size that he is up against in reading his weakness’, however Cleveland’s defense will help to mask these issues:
"Gets big-boyed by tight ends from the slot. Lack of size may limit how NFL teams can use him. Aggressive shoulder rolls into running backs could cause future health issues. Force as a tackler just average against big running backs. Forced into grab and drag scenarios to get running backs down at times.Gets big-boyed by tight ends from the slot. Lack of size may limit how NFL teams can use him. Aggressive shoulder rolls into running backs could cause future health issues. Force as a tackler just average against big running backs. Forced into grab and drag scenarios to get running backs down at times."
As the old adage goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog which is definitely relevant while discussing Baker.