A blockbuster trade proposal has the Dallas Cowboys landing one of the game’s premier defensive backs to bolster an already stout unit.
Last month, it was reported that Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker requested a trade from the organization. In 2020, the 27-year-old Baker signed a four-year contract extension worth $59 million.
Here we are in the middle of May with OTA Offseason Workouts drawing closer, and Baker remains a member of the Cardinals. Should Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort agree to trade Baker, the Cowboys certainly make sense as a landing pot.
Vincent Frank of Sportsnaut.com proposed a trade idea that would see the Cowboys acquire Baker from the Cardinals in exchange for 2024 second and 2025 fifth-round draft choices:
“While (Brandin) Cooks and (Stephon) Gilmore might be short-term options, acquiring a five-time Pro Bowler such as Baker at a need position for two future draft picks would be more with an eye on the future. Right now, Malik Hooker is slated to start at free safety next to Donovan Wilson. Hooker played well last season, but he doesn’t necessarily have the wide-ranging game that Baker boasts. That is to say, Arizona’s current star safety can play both safety positions and in the slot at cornerback.
As you likely already know, Baker has requested a trade from the Cardinals. In addition to the finances, he wants to join a contending team. Dallas fits that bill in more ways than one. Acquiring a second-round pick next year and another mid-round selection would represent market value for the rebuilding Cardinals.”
Dallas has fielded a top-10 scoring defense in back-to-back years under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, finishing seventh and fifth in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The unit is led by a combination of young superstars in pass rusher Micah Parsons and ball-hawking corner Trevon Diggs and veteran mainstays in DeMarcus Lawrence, Jayron Kearse and Leighton Vander Esch.
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Arizona drafted Baker in the second round (No. 36 overall) back in 2017. He earned Pro Bowl nods in five of his first six NFL seasons and was named a First-team All Pro in 2017 and 2020.
The Cowboys, coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons, are strictly in win-now mode. So if the Cardinals make Baker available, Jerry Jones and company should definitely see if a deal can be made for the All-Pro safety.
