One one of many NFL’s finest defenders is searching for a brand new residence. Budda Baker, the Arizona Cardinals’ two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl security, has requested a commerce, based on ESPN.
Baker reportedly knowledgeable the crew in February that he both needed to be traded or obtain a brand new deal that might make him the NFL’s highest-paid security. The 27-year-old has two years remaining on his present take care of the Cardinals. He’s on the books to make simply over $13 million in 2023 and $14.2 million in 2024.
The thirty sixth general choose within the 2017 NFL Draft, Baker was identify to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl in 2022. An All-Pro as a rookie, Baker has made 83 begins for the Cardinals. During his first six seasons, Baker has tallied seven interceptions, six compelled fumble, 5 fumble recoveries, 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss.
Just about each crew would need a participant of Baker’s caliber on their roster. His contract, nevertheless, will restrict the quantity of groups that can seemingly pursue him by way of a commerce. If they commerce him, the Cardinals will seemingly achieve this both earlier than or through the early parts of the NFL Draft in an effort to probably get a number of excessive drafts picks for him.
Here are the top-five touchdown spots for Baker if he’s dealt earlier than the 2023 season.
This makes loads of sense. The Packers want a playmaking security, and Baker is aware of new Green Bay defensive passing recreation coordinator Greg Williams, who coached the Cardinals cornerbacks the previous 4 seasons. Green Bay could make this work financially as it’s presently fifth within the NFL in cap house, based on Spotrac.
The Steelers simply misplaced beginning sturdy security Terrell Edmunds, who signed with the Eagles in free company. With Baker in tow, the Steelers would have simply the most effective security duo within the NFL with Baker and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The transfer would additionally enable Patrick Peterson to remain at cornerback as an alternative of switching to free security.
The Cowboys do not want Baker, however that is the kind of deal Jerry Jones loves making. Baker would make an already gifted Cowboys protection a very dominant group alongside Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. Dallas additionally has the sources to make such a commerce occur. In a commerce with Arizona, the Cowboys may embrace Malik Hooker, Dallas’ present beginning free security who’s coming off of a profession yr.
Baker’s addition could be an enormous increase for a crew that’s ushering in a brand new period led by new head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans have the cap house and the draft capital to make a commerce of this magnitude occur. One would additionally assume that Baker would need to play for Ryans, a former NFL linebacker who’s coming off a profitable two-year run because the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
Philadelphia Eagles
The defending NFC champions have some holes to fill after a gut-wrenching free company. While Edmunds stuffed one among their holes, the Eagles are nonetheless in want of another starting-caliber security after shedding Marcus Epps and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free company. In Philadelphia, Baker could be a part of a still-talented Eagles protection that features fellow defensive backs Edmunds, Darius Slay and James Bradberry.
