Coming out of the University of Washington as a consensus All-American and Pac-12 standout, Bishard "Budda" Baker slid out of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft almost exclusively because he measured just under 5 feet 10 inches tall. Recognizing his elite athletic engine and relentless closing motor, the Arizona Cardinals traded up in the second round (36th overall) to secure his services. It required very little time for the rest of the league to realize the Cardinals had walked away with one of the premier draft steals of the decade.
Baker exhibits a relentless, sideline-to-sideline drive that completely eliminates geometric angles in the run game. What sets him apart as an elite modern defensive back is his exceptional tactical flexibility; he has the smooth hips and quick diagnostic speed to cover slot receivers as a nickel corner, the ability to shut down deep seams as a free safety, and the crushing power to engage and shed blockers in the box as a hybrid linebacker. His rapid closing speed makes him a nightmare for offensive coordinators trying to exploit space.
In 2017, his quick entry into the professional scene immediately highlighted his dynamic presence. Baker gained national attention as an All-Rookie pick and a Pro Bowl special-teams gunner, topping the NFL in special teams tackles and smoothly transitioning into a starting defensive role later that season.
Once he permanently inherited the starting strong safety role, Baker blossomed into one of the most dominant defensive anchors in football. During his 2019 campaign, he completely dominated the defensive leaderboard by pacing the entire National Football League with 104 solo tackles (147 total stops), capturing his first First-Team All-Pro nod at safety. He replicated that supreme standard during the 2020 season, generating 118 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2.0 sacks to earn his second First-Team All-Pro selection while leading Arizona's defense back into playoff contention.
Baker became just the second defensive back in Cardinals franchise history to record over 100 solo tackles in a single season, establishing a standard of downhill run support rarely seen from the safety position.
That high-leverage dominance kicked off a historic run of individual peer recognition. Baker rattled off seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections at safety (2019–2025), bringing his total to eight Pro Bowls overall when including his rookie special teams nod. He maintained that relentless standard right through the 2025 season, recording another 120 total tackles, crossing the 1,000 career tackle threshold, and earning yet another NFC Pro Bowl nod to lead the defense.
Baker has amassed over 1,000 career tackles, 8.0 sacks, 8 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, and 8 Pro Bowl selections in a Cardinals uniform.