Chicago Bears 2017 draft position profiles: Safeties

Budda Baker, Washington (5-foot-10, 192 pounds)

Washington native Budda Baker helped his hometown team make it to the College Football Playoff before bowing down to Alabama. The free safety earned All Pac-12 honors each of his three seasons.

Baker is a speedy safety who can get to the ball in an instant. In his sophomore season, he clocked an amazing 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash. For his junior year, he bulked up eight pounds but appeared to still have good speed. We’ll find out how speedy he is at the Combine.

Baker has experience. He started 39 games, recording 199 tackles (13 for loss), 4 sacks, 5 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles.

His speed allows Baker to get to the quarterback on blitzes. As a Bear, he could help the pass rush tremendously. They need to put as much pressure on the quarterback to force mistakes. Too many times, opposing signal callers stayed put in the pocket and picked the Chicago Bears’ secondary apart.

Despite experts saying he’s too small, Baker plays with intensity and toughness. He doesn’t back down from tackles, especially against the run. He is sound technically, taking good angles in pursuit and usually finds himself at the right place at the right time.

As a result of Baker’s size, his stock may go down. He is probably a third or fourth round prospect. With his heart and his sound mechanics, whoever picks him up will have a steal. Hopefully it is the Chicago Bears.