ARIZONA CARDINALS

Budda Baker leads Cardinals safeties in Madden NFL 23 rankings

Jul 20, 2022, 1:32 PM | Updated: 3:29 pm
Safety Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the NFL game at State Far...
Safety Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 17-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With the NFL season set to kickoff on Sept. 8, Madden NFL 23 is releasing its yearly positional rankings day by day, which includes another Arizona Cardinal near the top of his respective position.

EA Sports released running back and safety ratings on Wednesday and Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker was given a rating of 92, third best at his position.

The New Orleans Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu (94) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. (93) are the only safeties ranked ahead of Baker.

Baker’s speed (91), acceleration (92), agility (92) and awareness (94) were considered his strongest attributes.

The safety responded promptly on Twitter on what he felt should be his actual rating:

Last season, Baker was again a major bright spot for the Cardinals secondary.

He recorded 98 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions while appearing in all 17 games for Arizona.

Cardinals free safety Jalen Thompson was given a 79 overall to open up his 2022 campaign.

Thompson’s attributes are highlighted by his acceleration (92), speed (90) and agility (85).

In 17 games played a season ago, Thompson recorded a team-high 121 tackles to go along with three interceptions and seven passes defensed.

Moving to the newly released running back rankings, the Cardinals’ James Conner rated out at 81 overall by Madden’s calculations.

Conner’s attributes are highlighted by his carrying (89), speed (88) and acceleration (88).

In his first season in a Cardinal uniform, Conner stepped up in a big way, accumulating for 1,127 total yards and 18 total touchdowns.

Conner’s 15 rushing touchdowns were tied for second in the NFL, trailing only Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

Newly signed Darrel Williams checks in second among the Cardinals running back ratings with a 74 overall.

Williams attributes are highlighted by his acceleration (89), speed (87) and awareness (82).

As a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Williams rushed for 558 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Third-year running back Eno Benjamin checks in with a 69 overall as he looks to take the next step in his NFL career.

Benjamin’s attributes are highlighted by his acceleration (88), speed (87) and agility (85).

A look at Madden NFL 23’s ratings for both Cardinals safeties and running backs:

Arizona Cardinals safeties Madden NFL 23 ratings

– SS Budda Baker — 92

– FS Jalen Thompson — 79

– FS Deionte Thompson — 71

– FS James Wiggins — 65

– SS Charles Washington — 64

Arizona Cardinals running backs Madden NFL 23 ratings

– RB James Conner — 81

– RB Darrel Williams — 74

– RB Eno Benjamin — 69

– RB Jonathan Ward — 65

– RB Keaontay Ingram — 65

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Budda Baker leads Cardinals safeties in Madden NFL 23 rankings