Bleacher Report's Alex Kay recently proposed a mock trade that sent Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick.
"Given his versatility, high football IQ and ability to cover, support the run and attack the quarterback with equal skill, Baker would be the optimal defensive back for the Bills to make a run at leading up to the trade deadline. He can slot in at either safety position, instantly upgrading a Buffalo defense that sorely needs a playmaker of Baker's caliber," Kay writes.
The Cardinals now sit at 2-5 following their Week 7 loss to the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Bills are 5-1, yet again looking like contenders with quarterback Josh Allen. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are the No. 1 reason the Bills haven’t gotten over the hump, but defensive struggles are right behind them.
They could genuinely be a Baker piece away from winning that first ring after four Super Bowl appearances in franchise history. If it only costs a third-round pick, that's absolutely a worthwhile move.
It's not overly aggressive to the point where it would set back the Allen era should it not work out for whatever reason. I'd argue it's a bigger risk for the Bills not to do something to address their defense at the deadline. Year after year, this team comes up short in the postseason. They can't afford to waste away another season of Allen's prime.
Grading a Budda Baker mock trade for Cardinals-Bills
With the Bills and Cardinals on two completely opposite trajectories approaching the Nov. 10 trade deadline, it makes sense for the two teams to see if there's a trade match. Arizona is falling further behind in the NFC West and should explore trading veterans like Baker in exchange for future assets to improve their long-term outlook.
The only question for them is whether a 2027 third-round draft pick is enough for someone of Baker's caliber.
The Cardinals should try to start a bidding war with contenders to see if anyone is willing to overpay for Baker if they view him as that final piece. We've already seen contenders such as the Seahawks, 49ers, and most recently, Bears make their chess move. Now, it's a matter of the Cardinals finding a team that wants Baker to be that countermove.
There are plenty of other potential landing spots for Baker, as just about every team with playoff aspirations could use another star in the secondary. Is a 2027 third-round draft pick from the Buffalo Bills -- an elite team that will likely be picking late in each round -- really the best they can get?
That said, it's the right idea for Arizona to get off his contract while getting a future draft pick in return. Baker's salary in 2027 isn't fully guaranteed, so the Cardinals don't need to force anything. But if a third-round pick is the best they can get after calling around the league, they should take it. It's at least a step in the right direction for this rebuild.
Bills grade: A
Cardinals grade: C+
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