PFF: Budda Baker a top performer among 2017 second rounders

Despite the Arizona Cardinals unsuccessful season, there is hope for the future as it appears that the organization knows what it’s doing in the draft.

BY KYNAN MARLIN

Jan 19, 2018, 3:16 PM

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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker celebrates a fumble recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Despite the Arizona Cardinals unsuccessful season, there is hope for the future as it appears that the organization knows what it’s doing in the draft.

According to Pro Football Focus, Arizona Cardinals rookie safety Budda Baker was the second best player drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

How every second round draft pick with enough snaps to qualify graded in 2017 pic.twitter.com/tkua6lQ4A6

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 17, 2018

The only player that ranked above Baker was the New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams. Baker also ranked above notable rookies like the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, the New York Jets safety Marcus Maye and the Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon.

Baker ranked seventh among rookies in total combined tackles (74). The Cardinals’ team defense gave up the sixth fewest yards per game and also forced 21 turnovers.

With the 2018 NFL draft only a few months away, it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do with their picks.