Budda!

[top dawg]

I believe that most Huddlers here, like myself, would prefer that Kurt Coleman move back to FS. But my position may be a little different from some, in that I recognized that as the seasoned progressed, Coleman's comfort level increased (as did the entire secondary's), and as such we saw the shades of 2015 return, not that I believe he was ever that far away. Anyway...I have consistently said that we need to get Tre Boston back on the bench by upgrading either safety spot. One young man that hasn't really been discussed here with any detail is Buddha Baker! 

Baker has nice ball skills in coverage, and is also a willing tackler who plays with aggression. 

 

The knock on Baker is his size. He is an undersized safety at ( standing at 5'10" and somewhere between 185 and 195 pounds). At this size, he may not be Dave Gettleman's cup of tea, but I would argue that there is a need for speed in our secondary, and Baker provides that as well as ball-hawking and tackling proficiency. I would think that he will be in contention at pick 40 if he's still on the board.

Again, the only real negative is his size. Zierlein pretty much sums up potential problems by saying that Baker gets "big-boyed by tight ends from the slot," and gets in "drag and grab scenarios" to bring down bigger running backs at times. These are the only real negatives. Potential health concerns due to his size and hints of being overaggressive are simply speculation.

As for the positives, here are some things that Daniel Lance Zierlein and Bucky Brooks have to say about Baker.

"Tremendously explosive and passionate in his play. Former high school track sprinter with good play speed. Screams off the edge as a blitzer. Always bouncing on balls of his feet just waiting to race to the action on a dead sprint. Plays with smooth backpedal and diagonal shuffle. Has a shiftiness that allows him to mirror change of direction in space. Plus instincts from any coverage areas. Allows quarterback's eyes and pattern recognition to carry him around the field. Not easily pulled from coverage responsibilities by bait routes around him. Has the click and close ability of a cornerback in coverage. Ball skills are solid. Plays with exceptional aggression. Accelerates through receivers to jar the pass loose. Tackle finisher who races to the throw to end plays at the catch point. Scouts use terms like 'winner' and 'top notch person' to describe him."

-Lance Zierlein

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/budda-baker?id=2558009

 "The 5-foot-10, 192-pound defender is an ideal slot corner. He's capable of shadowing receivers, thumping running backs and blitzing off the edge. Baker's versatility, toughness and physicality could make him a star in a multifaceted defense that features the nickel corner as a playmaker.

"As I studied his tape, I was blown away by Baker's combination of athleticism and instincts on the perimeter. He has a nice feel for playing the position as a quasi-linebacker against the run. Baker flies up to nail runners on the edges and exhibits outstanding balance, body control and wrap-up tackling skills. The diminutive defender flashes some pop upon contact and does a great job of getting slippery runners down.

As a blitzer, Baker's combination of athleticism and physicality stand out on tape. He explodes off the corner to pummel quarterbacks on slot-corner blitzes. With that in mind, it's easy to envision a creative defensive coordinator accentuating Baker's electric rush skills off the edge.

"In coverage, Baker shows outstanding athleticism and movement skills. Although he still needs to refine his footwork and transitions, he is such an explosive athlete that he is able to shadow slot receivers all over the field. With more reps and experience in coverage, Baker could quickly emerge as an elite nickel defender as a pro. In fact, I would compare the Washington standout to Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry as a versatile playmaker."

-Bucky Brooks

 

(About midway down the page)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000784833/article/move-the-sticks-notes-how-super-bowl-could-affect-nfl-draft%3FnetworkId%3D4595%26site%3D.news%26zone%3Dstory%26zoneUrl%3Durl%3Dstory%26zoneKeys%3Ds1%3Dstory%26env%3D%26pageKeyValues%3Dprtnr%3Dcollege-football%3Bplyr%3Dlavonte_david%3Bplyr%3Ddevondre_campbell%3Bplyr%3Dvictor_beasley%26p.ct%3DCFB%2B24%2F7%26p.adsm%3Dfalse%26p.tcm%3D%23ffffff%26p.bgc1m%3D%23000000%26sr%3Damp

With Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker possibly being gone by the time we pick on day one, and the fact that Gettleman may decide he may have better value with someone else even if Adams and Hooker are available, don't sleep on Buddha Baker on day two. The kid has the potential to be something special, and though he's small compared to another fascinating prospect in Obi Melifonwu, Baker's instincts and versatility may make him too good to pass up.

[chknwing]

playmaker

[MCC]

I'd like the pick fine in the 2nd or 3rd round, but his size does make me wary.

[t96]

BPA

[Ace_Aladdin]

25 minutes ago, top dawg said:

I believe that most Huddlers here, like myself, would prefer that Kurt Coleman move back to FS. But my position may be a little different from some, in that I recognized that as the seasoned progressed, Coleman's comfort level increased (as did the entire secondary's), and as such we saw the shades of 2015 return, not that I believe he was ever that far away. Anyway...I have consistently said that we need to get Tre Boston back on the bench by upgrading either safety spot. One young man that hasn't really been discussed here with any detail is Buddha Baker! 

Baker has nice ball skills in coverage, and is also a willing tackler who plays with aggression. 

 

The knock on Baker is his size. He is an undersized safety at ( standing at 5'10" and somewhere between 185 and 195 pounds). At this size, he may not be Dave Gettleman's cup of tea, but I would argue that there is a need for speed in our secondary, and Baker provides that as well as ball-hawking and tackling proficiency. I would think that he will be in contention at pick 40 if he's still on the board.

Again, the only real negative is his size. Zierlein pretty much sums up potential problems by saying that Baker gets "big-boyed by tight ends from the slot," and gets in "drag and grab scenarios" to bring down bigger running backs at times. These are the only real negatives. Potential health concerns due to his size and hints of being overaggressive are simply speculation.

As for the positives, here are some things that Daniel Lance Zierlein and Bucky Brooks have to say about Baker.

"Tremendously explosive and passionate in his play. Former high school track sprinter with good play speed. Screams off the edge as a blitzer. Always bouncing on balls of his feet just waiting to race to the action on a dead sprint. Plays with smooth backpedal and diagonal shuffle. Has a shiftiness that allows him to mirror change of direction in space. Plus instincts from any coverage areas. Allows quarterback's eyes and pattern recognition to carry him around the field. Not easily pulled from coverage responsibilities by bait routes around him. Has the click and close ability of a cornerback in coverage. Ball skills are solid. Plays with exceptional aggression. Accelerates through receivers to jar the pass loose. Tackle finisher who races to the throw to end plays at the catch point. Scouts use terms like 'winner' and 'top notch person' to describe him."

-Lance Zierlein

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/budda-baker?id=2558009

 "The 5-foot-10, 192-pound defender is an ideal slot corner. He's capable of shadowing receivers, thumping running backs and blitzing off the edge. Baker's versatility, toughness and physicality could make him a star in a multifaceted defense that features the nickel corner as a playmaker.

"As I studied his tape, I was blown away by Baker's combination of athleticism and instincts on the perimeter. He has a nice feel for playing the position as a quasi-linebacker against the run. Baker flies up to nail runners on the edges and exhibits outstanding balance, body control and wrap-up tackling skills. The diminutive defender flashes some pop upon contact and does a great job of getting slippery runners down.

As a blitzer, Baker's combination of athleticism and physicality stand out on tape. He explodes off the corner to pummel quarterbacks on slot-corner blitzes. With that in mind, it's easy to envision a creative defensive coordinator accentuating Baker's electric rush skills off the edge.

"In coverage, Baker shows outstanding athleticism and movement skills. Although he still needs to refine his footwork and transitions, he is such an explosive athlete that he is able to shadow slot receivers all over the field. With more reps and experience in coverage, Baker could quickly emerge as an elite nickel defender as a pro. In fact, I would compare the Washington standout to Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry as a versatile playmaker."

-Bucky Brooks

 

(About midway down the page)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000784833/article/move-the-sticks-notes-how-super-bowl-could-affect-nfl-draft%3FnetworkId%3D4595%26site%3D.news%26zone%3Dstory%26zoneUrl%3Durl%3Dstory%26zoneKeys%3Ds1%3Dstory%26env%3D%26pageKeyValues%3Dprtnr%3Dcollege-football%3Bplyr%3Dlavonte_david%3Bplyr%3Ddevondre_campbell%3Bplyr%3Dvictor_beasley%26p.ct%3DCFB%2B24%2F7%26p.adsm%3Dfalse%26p.tcm%3D%23ffffff%26p.bgc1m%3D%23000000%26sr%3Damp

With Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker possibly being gone by the time we pick on day one, and the fact that Gettleman may decide he may have better value with someone else even if Adams and Hooker are available, don't sleep on Buddha Baker on day two. The kid has the potential to be something special, and though he's small compared to another fascinating prospect in Obi Melifonwu, Baker's instincts and versatility may make him too good to pass up.

Has little bit of Earl Thomas in him, I wouldn't mind picking him up in day 3.

[C47]

1 hour ago, sanjay_rajput said:

Has little bit of Earl Thomas in him, I wouldn't mind picking him up in day 3.

He'll go long before day 3. May go before 40 tbh. Has versatility to play S and Nickel CB.