Mock Trade Sends Cardinals Safety Budda Baker to Playoff Team

The Arizona Cardinals' safety still wants to be the highest-paid in the league.

The Arizona Cardinals are ready to put a bow on their offseason with minicamps and voluntary workouts on the horizon, yet there's still a few issues that need to be sorted through before the team takes the field in 2023. 

One of those is the status of safety Budda Baker, who made his trade request from the team public earlier in the offseason. Baker wants to be the highest paid at his position and the Cardinals - going through a rebuild - have yet to make that happen and likely won't. 

Arizona has been fairly public with their desire to retain Baker, who has two years left on his deal with no guaranteed money. The 27-year-old safety also likely wants to compete for a championship at some point, something the Cardinals aren't exactly positioned to do at the moment. 

As such, trade rumors have swirled since Baker made his trade request public. While there's been zero traction for a deal, that hasn't stopped the world of mock trades. 

In Bleacher Report's piece that goes through five NFL trades that still need to happen, Baker is found packing his bags for the New York Giants in exchange for a second-round pick. 

"Baker is well-regarded in league circles not only for his contributions on the field but also for his leadership in the locker room, although the two-time first-team All-Pro has amassed an impressive 650 tackles, 7.5 sacks and seven interceptions over his six NFL seasons. He'd be an ideal acquisition for an up-and-coming organization with championship aspirations," said author Alex Kay. 

"The New York Giants fit the bill as they seek to build on their NFC Divisional Round appearance last year. They made some nice moves this offseason—including retaining quarterback Daniel Jones and grabbing an elite corner in Deonte Banks with their first-round pick—but still need to bolster the safety position after losing Julian Love in free agency.

"If the G-Men can add a premier talent like Baker for a Day 2 pick—a selection the rebuilding Cardinals should be keen to accept—it would give their defense the edge it needs to make a leap."

If the Cardinals must, they'll happily take a second-round pick for Baker. That would push their early pick arsenal in 2024 to:

Two first-round picks

Two second-round picks

Three third-round picks 

Would Baker's departure be worth that price tag? 

There's belief that if the Cardinals continue on their current trajectory, they can perhaps turn things around sooner than anticipated. In two years when Baker isn't quite 30-years-old, Arizona could very well feel comfortable enough to make a playoff push with him still on the roster.

If Baker somehow lands on the Giants, he will return for Week 2 when New York travels to State Farm Stadium for Arizona's home opener.