Another honor for Cardinals rookie safety Budda Baker
Jan 25, 2018, 7:44 AM
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
It was a banner 2017 season for Arizona Cardinals rookie Budda Baker.
After being a second-round pick out of Washington for the Cardinals, Baker went on to excel — not only on defense when he got the opportunity, but on special teams.
Baker is playing in his first Pro Bowl in Orlando Sunday and was named to the AP First-Team All-Pro squad as a special teams player.
This week, he got another tip of the cap from Gil Brandt of NFL.com, who named Baker to his 2017 All-Rookie Team on special teams.
Baker projects as a capable starting safety — and his ability to contribute on special teams only adds to his value. He posted 13 special teams tackles this season, most in the NFL, en route to securing first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a special teams player.
Baker finished 2017 as the Cardinals’ fourth-leading tackler with 74 total stops. He also had a sack and forced two fumbles on defense in addition to shining on special teams week after week.
Baker was the only Arizona representative on Brandt’s team, although linebacker Haason Reddick made the “just missed the cut” list.
