[tps_title]2017 NFL combine: 5 safety prospects to watch for the Dallas Cowboys[/tps_title]
[1/5] Budda Baker, Washington (5’10”, 192)
The Dallas Cowboys have been hesitant to draft undersized safeties in the past, but they might just make an exception for Budda Baker. Baker is a big reason why the Washington Huskies had such an impressive secondary. The Huskies secondary was so impressive in fact that three of their defensive backs could be could be selected in the top 100 in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Baker may be on the smallish side for a safety, but he plays with the mentality of a linebacker. He isn’t afraid to come up in run support and throw his body around. Of course, that could become a problem in the NFL when going up against bigger more athletic players.
Baker could be just the kind of playmaker the Cowboys have been looking for in their secondary, and I’m almost positive we will hear him compared to Bob Sanders at some point during the combine events.
He is likely better off playing the free safety position in the NFL because of his size, but with the fluidity to his game, he could be moved into the slot in certain situations as well. He has also shown a proficiency as a blitzer off the edge, similar to the way we have seen Rod Marinelli utilize Orlando Scandrick.
I expect Budda Baker to be one of the top performers in all of the events at the combine. He could be a good selection for the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the first round, but that likely means all of the defensive ends and cornerbacks they have assigned a first-round grade have all been drafted.
“”I expect him (Obi) to perform really well in all of the different combine events, especially the broad jump and vertical jump.”
Man, you were prescient! He was the Combine’s best in both.
It’s
all about his game film. His athleticism really jumps out studying him.