NFL Insider Theorizes Broncos Trade for Cardinals S Budda Baker

The Denver Broncos could — nay, "should" — attempt to acquire star safety Budda Baker, who is unhappy with and has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals.

Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer hypothesized a potential deal involving a Broncos wide receiver to reunite Baker with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

"So if I’m, say, the Broncos, with Vance Joseph there, and I have a young receiver to spare for a team that might need one post–DeAndre Hopkins, would I think about it? I sure would," Breer wrote Monday.

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A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, Baker has developed into one of the league's best defenders — both in coverage and run support. Last season alone, he tallied 75 solo tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, grading out as Pro Football Focus' 19th-best safety among 88 qualifiers.

“He’s still that guy,” an assistant coach who’s familiar with Baker told Breer. “He’s the leader of all leaders. I’d stand on the table for 10 times over for a guy like Budda, and what he brings to a locker room, classroom, to practice and then you see the way he plays. He’s not changing his style on any of that, it’s who he is, it’s what makes him special. If I had a chance to get him, I’d get him in a heartbeat.”

“He’s still a high-level player,” echoed an NFC executive. “There’s minimal trade precedent at the position; the Jamal Adams trade to Seattle and Minkah [Fitzpatrick] trade to Pittsburgh are most applicable, both involved 1s [draft picks]. But both players were younger and under contract. You’d think, given the contract issue and positional value, scheme fit, it’d be a second or third for him.”

While Baker is indeed a foundational talent, taking him off the Cardinals' hands may prove difficult for Denver, which owns just five picks in the upcoming Draft, including no first- or second-round selections.

The Broncos do have a pair of third-rounders, Nos. 67 and 68, though the team figures to fill more pressing holes elsewhere, such as the offensive and defensive lines and the linebacking corps.

There's also the financial aspect to consider. Baker, 27, is entering the penultimate year of his $59 million contract, scheduled to count $16.871 million against the salary cap in 2023. With zero guaranteed money remaining, he's purportedly seeking a new pact that will make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.

The Broncos already boast two elite defensive backs, Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons, and hope to deploy promising S Caden Sterns in a starting role. Not to mention they're a bit strapped for cash with only $7.585 million in available cap space, a chunk of which is allocated to their rookie class.

Long story short: Baker would be a luxury rather than a necessity for a club still in need of the latter.

Follow Zack on Twitter @KelbermanNFL

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