Prospect profile: Budda Baker, S, Washington.
Simon Bruus
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As we get closer to the draft my certainty that the Vikings will spend their first pick of the draft, the 48th pick overall, on an offensive lineman dwindle. The Vikings may choose to believe that their offensive line woes are fixed, for now at least, and thus choose to look elsewhere in the second round. Budda Baker, is an obvious target for the second round if the Vikings were to go best player available.
The dynamic safety out of Washington helped create one of the best, if not the best, secondary in college football last year taking the Washington Huskies to the semi finals in the college football playoffs. Baker has been the starter for the Huskies ever since he first set foot on campus and has helped lift the Huskies program during his years with the school. Likened to guys like Tyrann Mathieu, Baker shines despite his undersized frame, his incredible versatility and his dynamic play along with his massive passion for the game helps him overcome his shortcomings.
When you turn on Baker’s tape it pops. Budda Baker is a sure tackler rarely missing tackles or giving up big yards on his assignments. Baker has great instincts in coverage, he’s shifty and changes direction easily allowing him to easily stay with his man. Baker would excel as a single high safety but his versatility would allow him to also play the slot if necessary.His tremendous explosiveness shows up when Baker is coming off the edge as a blitzer. The versatility could be useful alongside Harrison Smith allowing Zimmer to cook up all kinds of tricks.
Budda Baker may very well be gone by the Vikings selection in the second round but a deep DB class means that he might drop to the second round, if that’s the case the Vikings would be foolish not to pick up Baker.