Six-time Pro Bowler and Arizona Cardinal safety Budda Baker is named a potential trade candidate this offseason. According to a report, one NFL analyst suggested that teams should acquire the Washington product in a trade. Baker is entering the final year of his contract and his future is still uncertain where he may be after this upcoming season. He requested a trade last offseason but the Cardinals gave him a raise amid speculations that they could move on.
However, the Cardinals could probably entertain some offers from teams if it becomes available. According to Over The Cap, the team would be saving $15.1 million by trading the defensive back. They may as well get something out of the 28-year-old before he hits the free agent market next offseason. However, Arizona doesn’t need cap space but they’re a team that aren’t contenders this time around so they may entertain some offers if it means getting some draft picks.
Bleacher Report said that the Ravens, Lions and Eagles had interest in the veteran safety as the prime destinations. It’ll be interesting to see what the interest level is out there after the post-June 1 cuts as many may request a trade. However, one report is advising the Lions to make a big swing in a blockbuster trade to acquire Baker. Last offseason, the team’s additions of Emmanuel Moseley and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson were missing the majority of the year with injuries.
Moseley is returning on a new contract but Gardner-Johnson isn’t as he’s signing a deal with the Eagles. The Lions seem to be the top contender to revisit this potential trade and finally make it happen this year. They’re in the position for a bright future so this may be the last piece of the puzzle for their Super Bowl quest.
Six-Time Pro Bowler Budda Baker Named a Potential Trade Candidate
How He May Fit in Detroit
Baker would certainly be open to joining a team if it means getting a shot at his first ring. The Lions still have cap space considering they gave a mega contract to quarterback, Jared Goff. They hold the fourth-most cap space with 31.1 million so money wouldn’t be an issue for Detroit. However, the Washington product would be an immediate upgrade over Kerby Joseph.
Baker has been showing little decline so that means he still has numerous seasons ahead of him. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his last five seasons with two All-Pro years during that stretch. The Washington product appeared in 12 games last season, making 87 total tackles, including five of them for a loss. However, the Lions are building a youth secondary after making some big investments in this year’s draft.
Detroit would want to avoid getting too young as the team may need a veteran to help with the corps. New cornerback Terrion Arnold would probably be open to having Baker join the group. It would be a dangerous combination for the NFC to watch since most are expected to play at their peak. Here are some other potential trade destinations for Baker.
Potential Trade Destinations
Although the Ravens don’t have the salary to acquire Baker, they may as well take a gamble to improve their defense. The loss of Geno Stone and the thought of Marlon Humphrey in the secondary with Baker seems to put them in a championship position. Kyle Hamilton had one of the best seasons last year so this means teaming with Baker would make this defense nastier. However, the Kansas City Chiefs could be looking to add one more rotational piece after the loss of L’Jarius Sneed.
They need some type of star power on their secondary after losing Sneed and Baker would easily be the replacement for it. The Chargers had one of the worst defenses last year so they need just about any player to make the roster good again. Derwin James and Alohi Gilman probably need a third veteran to help navigate their quest for the playoffs. They always say that defense wins championships so it wouldn’t be a loss for either side.
