2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
87
SACKS
0.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The biggest knock on Baker in recent seasons has been his inability to stay on the field, as he suffered a shoulder fracture that ended his 2022 season in Week 15 and a hamstring strain cost him five games last year and sent him to injured reserve. When he was on the field in 2023, Baker maintained his role as a mainstay in the defensive unit, which is notable given the overhaul of the coaching staff and the subsequent shift in roles for some of the team's key defensive players. The results on the field were mixed, as Baker delivered an impressive 7.25 tackles per game. On the other hand, he lost a significant amount of playmaking ability, failing to deliver a pass breakup in a season for the first time in his career and going an entire season without an interception for the first time since 2019 - potentially caused by the aforementioned hamstring issue he suffered in Week 2. Assuming there are no health issues in training camp, it's reasonable to project that Baker returns to his familiar playmaking form in 2024. Read Past Outlooks
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Falls short of 100 tackles in 2023
Baker accumulated 87 tackles across 12 regular-season games in 2023.
ANALYSIS
Since opening his career with 74 tackles as a second-round rookie in 2017, Baker reached the century mark in the category in five of the next six campaigns, but falling short of that in the most recent season isn't shocking considering he was on injured reserve Weeks 2-6. His prorated (to 17 games) tackle count was 123, which would have been the second most to his actual tally of 147 from 2019. Otherwise, Baker didn't notch any sacks for the second year in a row and snapped his run of multiple interceptions at three seasons. He has one year remaining on his current contract, so a bounceback may be in the offing as he seeks another big payday.
Since opening his career with 74 tackles as a second-round rookie in 2017, Baker reached the century mark in the category in five of the next six campaigns, but falling short of that in the most recent season isn't shocking considering he was on injured reserve Weeks 2-6. His prorated (to 17 games) tackle count was 123, which would have been the second most to his actual tally of 147 from 2019. Otherwise, Baker didn't notch any sacks for the second year in a row and snapped his run of multiple interceptions at three seasons. He has one year remaining on his current contract, so a bounceback may be in the offing as he seeks another big payday.
NFL Stats
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2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
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2024 Budda Baker Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Budda Baker's measurables compare to other safeties?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
195 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.45 secShuttle Time
4.08 secCone Drill
6.76 secVertical Jump
32.5 inBroad Jump
115 inBench Press
15 repsHand Length
9.00 inArm Length
30.75 in
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Baker has racked up triple-digit tackles four times in the last five years, and the 27-year-old went looking for a contract extension this offseason, or a trade to a team that would give him one. New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon appears to be preparing for the safety's departure by shifting Isaiah Simmons to the secondary, and the fight for snaps between Simmons, Baker and Jalen Thompson could end up hurting the fantasy value of all three. Until a reduced role actually materializes, though, Baker's speed and nose for the football make him an elite option.
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Double-digit tackles in loss
Baker recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 27-16 loss to the Bears.
ANALYSIS
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Held to five tackles in loss
Baker accounted for five tackles (three solo) during Sunday's 45-29 loss to San Francisco.
ANALYSIS
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Will play versus Niners
Baker (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
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Iffy for Sunday due to illness
Baker was a late addition to the Cardinals' injury report and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers due to an illness, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Has another good showing
Baker recorded eight tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 24-10 win at Pittsburgh.
ANALYSIS
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Pressure in contract year
Nick Shook of NFL.com believes that 2024 will be a pivotal year for Baker as the safety seeks a large contract extension next offseason.
ANALYSIS
After being unable to reach a long-term deal with the Cardinals last offseason, Baker registered 87 tackles over 12 regular-season games in 2023. Despite not recording an interception and registering his lowest tackle count since his rookie year, Baker was named to his sixth Pro Bowl last season. The 2024 campaign is a contract year for the 28-year-old safety, and while the Cardinals should have enough cap space to pay the Washington product next offseason, Baker's production and health will be the main factors in how much he will ultimately sign for.
After being unable to reach a long-term deal with the Cardinals last offseason, Baker registered 87 tackles over 12 regular-season games in 2023. Despite not recording an interception and registering his lowest tackle count since his rookie year, Baker was named to his sixth Pro Bowl last season. The 2024 campaign is a contract year for the 28-year-old safety, and while the Cardinals should have enough cap space to pay the Washington product next offseason, Baker's production and health will be the main factors in how much he will ultimately sign for.