Texans Target? Houston Top Trade Partners for Cardinals Safety Budda Baker

Three-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals, with the Houston Texans listed among his top potential suitors.

Are the Houston Texans in the mix to acquire the services of one of the NFL’s top defensive players?

With Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker reportedly has requested a trade, the Texans may be logical suitors, per a CBS Sports report. 

“Baker's addition would be a big boost for a team that is ushering in a new era led by new head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans have the cap space and the draft capital to make a trade of this magnitude happen. One would also assume that Baker would want to play for Ryans, a former NFL linebacker who is coming off a successful two-year run as the 49ers' defensive coordinator.”

Baker was selected by the Cardinals in the second round (No. 36 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since that time, he has become a standout performer in Arizona’s defensive backfield. In 2022, he was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl (his fifth selection, in total) having logged 111 total tackles, seven passes-defended and two interceptions. 

In his six seasons with the Cardinals, Baker has earned an All-Pro designation three times — twice selected to the first team (2017, 2020), with one second-team nod in 2021. In total, he has started 83 games for Arizona, compiling seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 7.5 sacks, and 32 tackles for loss.

Baker, per multiple reports, informed the team in February of his intention to either be traded or receive a new deal that would make him the NFL's highest-paid safety. The 27-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal with the Cardinals. He is set to make just over $13 million in 2023 and $14.2 million in 2024. 

With Houston currently possessing $18.3 million in available salary cap space, they could afford to take on Baker’s contract — assuming some corresponding cap savings moves are made by the Texans' front office. Baker would immediately upgrade a safety unit that presently features Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre, M.J. Stewart, Eric Murray and Grayland Arnold. 

---

Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Houston Texans? Click Here

Follow Texans Daily on Twitter and Facebook

Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @LockedOnTexans today! Click here To Listen.

Want even more Houston Texans news? Check out the SI.com team page here.