Baker attended Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington. While his versatility is valuable, he hasn't yet shown that he can play at a high level in coverage all across the defense in the same way that has risen steadily in each of the past three seasons — from 57.0 as a rookie to 60.6 in 2018 to 64.8 this past season — and it appears as if the Cardinals are banking on that trajectory continuing upward as they move forward with this contract. He participated at Washington's Pro Day and only ran positional drills for over 50 NFL team representatives and scouts.
The Cardinals made Budda Baker the highest-paid safety in NFL history, giving him a $59 million extension over four years ($14.75 million per year). Making Baker the highest-paid safety in the NFL now is an investment in his continued improvement and an attempt to get in ahead of plenty of big-name safeties who are up for new contracts soon. Washington. He just hasn't shown the playmaking, ballhawk skills that typically earn this kind of money at the safety position. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on the news via Twitter on Tuesday. General manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff went hard at the problem in free agency, signing Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith to impressive deals. They did precisely that when they cut just one season into his record-setting contract extension from 2016 and drafted Baker in 2017 (so don't get too complacent, Budda). But after profiling as significantly stronger in run defense than in coverage through the first three years of his NFL career, there are questions as to whether Baker is the kind of playmaking coverage safety that warrants a record-setting contract. In 2018, the focus shifted towards the slot, and this past season, Baker took on a larger role deep while still spending some time close to the line of scrimmage.Baker has been a terrific downhill player no matter where he has been asked to line up, showing patience and taking good angles in the run game. At least to this point, Baker's results in coverage have not been nearly as impressive. He led the NFL with 104 solo tackles.He does not have an interception since entering the NFL and has played the most coverage snaps (1,261) of any player during that span to have not intercepted a pass.The per-year average in new money on the extension puts Baker atop the safety market, topping the Bears’ Eddie Jackson’s $14.6 million on his five-year extension. In the 2019 offseason, Mulugheta first negotiated a monster six-year, $84 million contract for in Washington following Collins' departure from the division-rival the highest-paid safety in the NFL, at $14.1 million per year. By this time next offseason, Baker may not even be among the top five highest-paid safeties in the NFL. He does just that on the play below — one of five run stops he made in that Week 8 contest alone. Budda Baker’s transition to full-blown NFL star has been a relatively quick one. Defensive back Derwin James suffered a meniscus injury during practice Sunday and will be lost for an extended period.James, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018, played five games in 2019, missing much of the early part of the season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsOur exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data.PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts.In-depth analysis and PFF metrics for NFL quarterbacks from the 2019 season. Arizona is making 24-year-old, two-time, Pro-Bowl selection Budda Baker the highest-paid safety in the NFL history, giving him a four-year, $59 million contract extension ($14.75M average per year), sources tell ESPN. Budda Baker has been a hit for the Arizona Cardinals. "Not scared to be physical. He finished ninth in ESPN's a prior conversation that he had with former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, in which he said of Baker, “That's a special player. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2020. Arizona is making 24-year-old, two-time, Pro-Bowl selection Budda Baker the highest-paid safety in the NFL history, giving him a four-year, $59 million contract extension ($14.75M average per year), sources tell ESPN. The jersey that Scott Norwood wore during the “wide-right” kick at Super Bowl XXV sold for a hefty $52,800.There were 15 bids for the jersey, according to Heritage Auctions.
He played safety and running back in football, and also participated in many clubs and the track team. The Smith "brothers" provided appropriate value on the field, totaling 29.5 sacks and 167 total pressures between them, including the postseason. He was placed on IR Sept. 1.Not quite sure if a Buffalo Bills fan would want this or more likely a New York Giants booster. Asked about the deal, agent @DavidMulugheta confirmed it. As a senior, he was named the Seattle Times High School Athlete of the Year. Our very own Baker does a lot of things well. The Cardinals selected Baker 36th overall in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he is coming off a Pro Bowl season at just 24 years old, giving plenty of reason for optimism moving forward.