A blockbuster trade proposal has the Arizona Cardinals sending All-Pro safety Budda Baker to a top NFC club in a three-team deal involving two of the conference’s top heavyweights.
Budda Baker requested a trade from the Cardinals last offseason, but he changed his mind after receiving a pay raise on his deal. The 28-year-old is heading into the final season of his contract.
Given Baker’s status as one of football’s elite defensive backs, Arizona would be better off trading him if they can’t reach an extension in the coming weeks. It’d be a tough blow for the rebuilding Cardinals to lose him for nothing like they did with DeAndre Hopkins a year ago.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed a fascinating three-team trade idea involving the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. The Lions would acquire Baker in Knox’s proposal, with Arizona receiving veteran wideout Brandin Cooks and a 2025 third-round pick from Dallas and Detroit’s 2025 fifth-round pick.
As for the Cowboys, they would get wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, running back Craig Reynolds, quarterback Hendon Hooker and a 2026 third-round draft pick from the Lions.
“While Detroit is fairly deep at receiver, the Cardinals lack high-end options after rookie first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. In Arizona, Cooks could replace Marquise Brown as the deep threat and be another supporting player for quarterback Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals would also get a fair return for Baker, who is entering the final year of his contract…
The Cowboys would also come away with a pair of budget role players in wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and running back Craig Reynolds. Both could be more valuable in Dallas than they are in Detroit…
Dallas could also get some quarterback insurance in the form of 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker. There’s a real chance that the Cowboys can’t keep Prescott beyond this season, and backup Trey Lance is also set to be a 2025 free agent.”
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Over his first seven NFL seasons, Budda Baker has seven interceptions, 34 pass defenses, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 7.5 sacks and 737 combined tackles.
Budda Baker Makes Perfect Sense For The Lions
The Lions are coming off their first trip to the NFC Championship Game in 32 years, but they ranked 27th against the pass a year ago. GM Brad Holmes drafted Alabama star Terrion Arnold and acquired ball-hawking corner Carlton Davis III from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But if Detroit acquired Baker, their secondary would suddenly go from hopefully very good to potentially the best in football. Throw in the presence of rising star Brian Branch and the underrated Kerby Joseph, and the sky would be the limit for the Lions’ defense.
