Budda Baker

[TheFinisher]

I think everyone loves the player and person, the one negative is lack of size, but that's about it. This is a kid who has been a captain all 3 years at Washington, which is unheard of to be a freshman captain. That's special leadership ability.

Let's discuss how he could be utilized in our defense. There are rumblings from NFL circles that his best position may be CB at the next level due to his elite quickness and ability to drive on the football. I think he could be a hell of a slot corner for us, but where does he fit in within the base defense? Do you like him more as a deep center fielder, 8th man run defender, etc? Could he play Safety for us in base packages or will he have to transition to full time CB duty... and do you think he could succeed there?

Again, he had special instincts for a DB and seemingly plays at a different speed then everyone else on the field at the college level.

Could he fit the mold of a Ronde Barber for us?

 

[AzorAhai]

He's going to play everywhere. I don't think you want him as a main box Safety, but he will see some time there. Otherwise he will be used all over the field. I don't think you will have much trouble getting him on the field in a variety of roles because of the way they use Jones. Also in today's NFL, you need 2 safeties that can cover. That's more important than having a traditional in the box Safety imo.

 

[reddyuta]

I would rather Pick Baker than Peppers,he can play FS and in the Nickel.

 

[AsthmaField]

FS... Jones goes back to corner.

Presto! Two spots improved.

 

[DBOY3141]

He and Josh Jones are my pet cats. Both great football players. We need more of those on defense.

 

[Plankton]

Baker and Tyrann Mathieu are similar players, and Baker has the benefit of not having the amount of baggage that the Honey Badger came in with.

 

[stilltheguru88]

FS... Jones goes back to corner.

Presto! Two spots improved.

Stop with the Byron back to cb stuff. He's not a corner

 

[BAT]

I think everyone loves the player and person, the one negative is lack of size, but that's about it. This is a kid who has been a captain all 3 years at Washington, which is unheard of to be a freshman captain. That's special leadership ability.

Let's discuss how he could be utilized in our defense. There are rumblings from NFL circles that his best position may be CB at the next level due to his elite quickness and ability to drive on the football. I think he could be a hell of a slot corner for us, but where does he fit in within the base defense? Do you like him more as a deep center fielder, 8th man run defender, etc? Could he play Safety for us in base packages or will he have to transition to full time CB duty... and do you think he could succeed there?

Again, he had special instincts for a DB and seemingly plays at a different speed then everyone else on the field at the college level.

Could he fit the mold of a Ronde Barber for us?

He is capable of being a Swiss Army Knife like Byron Jones, except with more physicality in run game and more ability to create turnovers. He's like a healthier Tyrann Mathieu. His lack of height is the only reason he's not a first rounder IMO.

 

[Alexander]

Too short.

Sincerely,
Will McClay

 

[RS12]

Beat writers love him but have said they dont see him being the pick at 28 and wont be there at 60.

 

[Denim Chicken]

 

[tm1119]

Reminds me a lot of a guy a bunch of us wanted a couple of years ago that the Cowboys also passed on. Lamarcus Joyner. Maybe doesn't have 1 true position in the secondary, but at the same time there probably isn't a position he can't play either.,

 

[stilltheguru88]

I haven't seen a safety blow up screen plays like baker in years. Imagine him and Lee blowing up plays all game. Peppers isn't close to this dude

 

[Daillest88]

Wouldn't mind him at 28 either

 

[Plankton]

Where Baker helps is with his flexibility. People focus on his size as a limiting factor.

Baker can play single high, and play it well with his range. He can drop down into the slot and cover WRs at a good level, and he can blitz. There's more to like than not.

 

[tm1119]

I think people are a little too dismissive of his size. Not because it will keep him from making plays or anything like that, but because it's a fact that someone his size is going to struggle to stay healthy over a 16 game NFL season. He struggles to hold 190 pounds on his frame and he's an agressive safety. I'll be surprised if he doesn't have injury problems throughout his career

 

[AsthmaField]

Stop with the Byron back to cb stuff. He's not a corner

You stop with the Byron not back to corner stuff

 

[stilltheguru88]

You stop with the Byron not back to corner stuff

Lol

 

[stilltheguru88]

I think people are a little too dismissive of his size. Not because it will keep him from making plays or anything like that, but because it's a fact that someone his size is going to struggle to stay healthy over a 16 game NFL season. He struggles to hold 190 pounds on his frame and he's an agressive safety. I'll be surprised if he doesn't have injury problems throughout his career

He was 195 at the combine. Earl Thomas is 202. Not buying it

 

[tm1119]

He was 195 at the combine. Earl Thomas is 202. Not buying it

He had months to prepare and train for the combine and got up to 195...over the course of a 16 game season he could easily be playing at 185.

And Thomas is more the exception...Troy P, Bob Sanders and Honey Badger are better examples of small safeties not being able to stay healthy