The Arizona Cardinals have used safety Budda Baker at multiple positions on defense since he was drafted. As a rookie, he played more in the box. In 2018, he played in the slot and even some linebacker.
He is set to return to his natural position of safety in 2019 and he is excited about it.
“That’s my position,” he told reporters this week.
It is where he is most comfortable, but he still thinks of himself as a player who can do anything.
“I think I’m a hybrid type of guy, so you can plug me in anywhere,” he said. “I can play any type of position beside for D-line.”
Nonetheless, there is one thing he really is hoping with his return to safety.
“(It will) give me the chance to get more picks because he has none.”
Baker has no career interceptions through two seasons. He had one in the preseason last year but with so much work in the box, he has not had the opportunity to make plays on balls.
That, though, was the knock on him coming out of college. He has been a Pro Bowl special teams player and a Pro Bowl alternate at safety. Perhaps this is the year he breaks out as a dominant force in the secondary.
He is at his old position and now will wear his old number. It shouldn’t take long for him to be comfortable in his role.
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