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Budda Baker 2022 NFL Player Outlook: A DB1 Who’s Lowered His Floor
2 years agoComing into 2021, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Budda Baker was the top DB in many fantasy analyst rankings because of his consistency. Baker had easily cracked 100 total tackles for three straight years, and he'd accomplished the IDP gold standard in 2019 when he led the NFL in solo tackles as a DB. So it was a disappointment last year when Baker put up the worst tackle, solo tackle, and TFL totals since his rookie season despite playing in more games than ever. Not all was bad for Baker in 2021, as he set a career-high in interceptions, but those big plays didn't wholly compensate for the decline in his weekly tackle production. The hope for many is that Baker can rebound in 2022, as he's saying all the right things and still offers an attractive profile at a thin fantasy DB position. However, it is impossible to rank the former Washington Husky ahead of players like Los Angeles Chargers Derwin James, Buffalo Bills Jordan Poyer, and Carolina Panthers Jeremy Chinn when they now have similar floors and higher ceilings. Those looking to chase pure upside should consider Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton and Seattle Seahawks Jamal Adams over Baker.
