If Budda Baker found himself in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, like in Pro Football Focus' redraft, his career would look very different.

Budda Baker has been a key player with the Arizona Cardinals for seven seasons, but he is in the last year of his contract.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (1) stretches before they play the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024. / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images ...

Safety Budda Baker has watched that change unfold over the course of his career, and will continue to do so for at least a few more years after signing a new extension to remain in Arizona through ...

Still, Baker knows he’s the centerpiece of this defense. There’s a reason the Cardinals handed him a three-year, $54 million contract extension in December, preventing him from hitting free ...

Baker’s 164 combined tackles was a career-high and the second-most among all defensive players in 2024. He also set or tied career highs in sacks (2), QB hits (3) and tackles for loss (13).

Still, Baker knows he’s the centerpiece of this defense. There’s a reason the Cardinals handed him a three-year, $54 million contract extension in December, preventing him from hitting free ...

Budda Baker, the team’s longtime star safety, agrees. “Yeah, that’s the biggest thing,” Baker said Tuesday, May 20, during a news conference at the Cardinals’ Tempe training facility.