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Cardinals S Budda Baker makes massive jump in 2025 NFL Top 100

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 11:27 AM ET

GLENDALE – The NFL continue its Top 100 series by releasing 40-31 rankings, and it revealed the fourth Arizona Cardinals to be on the list. Safety Budda Baker finds himself at 34th overall, a massive leap from last year’s ranking of 89th. The seven-time Pro Bowler nearly doubled his tackle count from 2024, going from 87 to 164, which was second in the NFL. Baker’s 77.8 overall safety grade by Pro Football Focus has him 16th overall. In his age 28-season, Baker arguably had his best season to date.

Cardinals safety ranked 34th in NFL Top 100:

NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@AZCardinals S Budda Baker lands at No. 34! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/0ASGIUIOuw

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2025

Baker’s 34th overall ranking is the second highest in his career, as after earning first-team All-Pro honors the year before, he earned 19th overall in 2021. The former 2nd-round pick will likely be the final Cardinals player to find themselves on the list and no better choice than the leader of the defense.

During his eight-year career, he has earned every accolade with the organization, including being named a team captain for six straight years now. He is the identity of the franchise and the heart and soul of a defense primed to make a run next season. Fellow NFL Top 100 member, Josh Sweat, will give Arizona a much-needed push in its pass rush. Baker will finally have other veterans on his team, like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, to help in his pursuit for his first ever playoff win.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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