Budda Baker Named Trade Candidate Ahead of Draft

CBS Sports says Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker could be a trade candidate with the draft approaching.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates a defensive stop during their 25-23 win over the / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY

ARIZONA -- Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is no stranger to trade buzz after he went public with his desire to be moved elsewhere last offseason.

Despite obvious interest from a few teams, the Cardinals re-worked Baker's contract to keep the star satisfied, and all signs point to All-Pro remaining in the desert through the end of his contract this coming season.

Baker - who turned 28 earlier this year - again finds himself in trade speculation through the interwebs, however, as CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin recently placed Baker on a list of five stars who could be dealt before or during the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

"Baker briefly sought a trade last offseason before getting a slight raise from Arizona. The Cardinals can certainly afford his pricey deal with so much cap space, but they also have a youngerJalen Thompson on the back end of Jonathan Gannon's defense. If they can get a solid pick in return, they might prefer another younger investment on a seemingly ascending unit. Baker's versatility and physical punch, meanwhile, could be appealing to teams more suited to contend." - Benjamin

The Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers were listed as potential suitors for Baker.

It's tough to imagine the Cardinals trading Baker away when his value was considerably higher last offseason, though GM Monti Ossenfort has been steadfast in his team-first approach that has seen notable names moved previously.

Still, Arizona has been fairly vocal about wanting to keep Baker around for 2024, and the player seems to reflect the same feelings, too.