Skip to main content
Animated graphic with red background and information about Seahawks @ Cardinals
Advertising

Arizona Cardinals Home: The official source of the latest Cardinals headlines, news, videos, photos, tickets, rosters and game day information

Budda Baker Is Free Again

Third-year player moving from nickel cornerback to safety

S Budda Baker (right) works out with S D.J. Swearinger on Tuesday morning
S Budda Baker (right) works out with S D.J. Swearinger on Tuesday morning

A jersey number switch isn't going to be the only change for Budda Baker in 2019.

The Cardinals’ new No. 32 is expected to return to free safety after being used as a slot cornerback much of last season. Baker calls himself a hybrid player – "You can plug me in anywhere… besides d-line," he said – but likes the idea of going back to the role he has played previously.

"I'm very excited about (that), because that's my position," Baker said.

Between Baker and Tyrann Mathieu, the Cardinals have relied on safeties to play the slot for the past several seasons, but that position could go to a cornerback in 2019, with veteran Tramaine Brock among the options.

Baker is expected to play further from the line of scrimmage, which could mean less blitzing and fewer stops in the run game, but increased action against the pass.

"Give me a chance to get more picks, because I don't have any," Baker said.

Advertising