Cleveland Browns: 5 Cardinals to watch in Week 15

Budda Baker

Arizona free safety Budda Baker has flourished in his new role with the Cardinals in 2019. The third-year pro had spent his previous two seasons in Arizona as a strong safety, but when a new coaching staff came in this offseason, they switched Baker over to free safety. The move afforded Baker more flexibility in the defense and has allowed him to cover more of the field.

Even though his title has changed, along with his number, Baker still brings the same heat he did as a strong safety in run support. It’s not uncommon for a run to end where number 32 enters the fray. Baker has already recorded a career-high in tackles with 87 solo’s and 118 combined on the season so far.

His five tackles for loss this season have all came against the run, which is rare for a free safety. The Cardinals have been sending Baker on more blitzes as of late, although that hasn’t resulted in any sacks and he only has one hit on a quarterback this season.

One of Baker’s biggest attributes is, he consistently finds himself where the ball is. That is something that seems to happen to good players more often than not. If Budda Baker continues the trajectory that he is on, he will find himself in the discussion of elite safeties in the NFL.