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Chicago Bears Daily 2017 NFL Draft Prospect: Washington S Budda Baker

By Carlos Nazario

Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) returns an interception 44 yards as Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Michael Wilson (74) defends during the first half in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) returns an interception 44 yards as Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Michael Wilson (74) defends during the first half in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears seem to be on an endless search for safety help through the draft. Some of that help can come from Washington safety Budda Baker.

The Chicago Bears need help in their secondary. They suffered injuries to their cornerback unit. So many in fact, that they had rookie free agents starting games. Also, they needed help at safety. It seems like they’ve looked for safety help for the better part of two decades.

By drafting Washington safety Budda Baker, they could have help in both those units. He played most of his time at Washington as a single-high safety, but he also played some at slot cornerback.

Baker would help bring the attacking, hard-hitting Chicago Bears defenses of old. He is physical, and when he hits you, you will go down hard. He plays all over the field, but when he needs to go after a ball carrier he takes the proper angles to get there quickly.

His instincts are excellent. He recognizes routes quickly and reads the quarterback’s eyes well to effectively pick up plays.

Additionally, Baker provides good run support. His speed and quickness allow him to get to the ball carrier quickly, and his physicality helps him finish the tackle.

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Baker was a starter the moment he put on the Huskies uniform. He played in 40 games over three seasons. In 2016, he recorded a team-high 71 tackles (10 for loss), 8 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. That earned him All-American honors.

Baker also has great leadership skills. The coaches

Baker was a big part of Washington’s resurgence. They made it to the College Football Playoffs, where they fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals.

At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Baker is a littler undersized. He has pretty good speed and quickness to go along with good instincts, but he’ll have trouble defending NFL tight ends. Those guys will bully him. He can take on a lot of slot receivers, but those with size will take advantage of him. He can help in nickel situations on occasion. The best way to utilize him is as a single-high, the way he played at Washington.

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about Baker’s abilities and character could offset his lack of size.

"The scoop: Most of the time we will stick to our physical parameters for safeties, but Budda (Baker) might end up being one of those guys who we ignore the size on. He’s so athletic and his football character is so high that it might be necessary to give him a pass on how short he is.” — NFC personnel directorThe skinny: Baker is probably hoping to measure in at 5-foot-10 at the NFL Scouting Combine, but I’m not sure he’s going to measure that tall. Safeties have to be the last line of defense as tacklers and make plays on jump balls down the field, so teams prefer safeties who reach minimum height and weight numbers. Baker has terrific speed and is a war daddy against the run, so hearing an executive say that they might be willing to look past some height issues isn’t shocking to me."

Next: Is Mike Glennon a better fit for Bears than Jay Cutler?

The Chicago Bears can draft Budda Baker and he’ll add good depth to their secondary. Also, his character and leadership will come in handy in the locker room.

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