Budda Baker has been a dominant force on the defensive side in his eight seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
And if ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler’s survey of NFL coaches, executives and scouts is accurate, Baker isn’t expected to slow down in 2025.
Baker was ranked eighth in Fowler’s preseason ranking of top NFL safeties.
He dropped two spots lower than his ranking last year.
Why Budda Baker cracked ESPN’s top 10 poll for safeties
Even though Baker is the oldest player listed in the top 10, the 2024 tape revealed he’s still got plenty in the tank, according to an NFC executive.
Unreal production when moving forward, missed more tackles this past year but made a ton of plays behind/at/near the line of scrimmage. And he played all 17 games.
Baker is coming off a productive season where he led the team with a career-high 164 tackles as he was utilized all over the field by defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. He made his seventh Pro Bowl thanks to his efforts.
Why Budda Baker isn’t higher in ESPN’s ranking
Despite his standing among the top 10 safeties, Fowler pinpointed some improvements for Baker heading into the season.
While appearing on every ballot is impressive, his lack of ball production — zero interceptions and five total pass deflections since 2023 — hurt his standing this year. But from a tone-setting standpoint, he remains elite.
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Baker’s last interception came in December 2022.
Even with the low interception totals in recent years, Baker remains one of the most important Cardinals on the roster as a defensive leader for a unit expected to make a jump in 2025.
Baker is the second longest-tenured player on the team behind long snapper Aaron Brewer and signed a three-year contract extension last December.
Who are the top NFL safeties entering 2025 according to NFL execs?
1. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens 2. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions 3. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers 4. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons 5. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions 6. Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers 7. Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals 9. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins 10. Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
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