Vikings Trade For Cardinals' Budda Baker in New Bold Prediction

The Vikings have already added one standout defensive back from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, signing free agent corner Byron Murphy Jr. to a two-year deal. Could they double down and acquire another?

In a new bold predictions piece, Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton raised the idea of the Vikings trading for disgruntled Cardinals safety Budda Baker. One of the top players in the league at his position, Baker reportedly told the Cardinals earlier this offseason that he wants one of two things: A new contract that makes him the highest-paid safety in the league, or a trade. He attended Arizona's mandatory minicamp practices but did not participate.

The Cardinals may prefer to trade Baker instead of paying him top dollar, given their current trajectory as a franchise. But would the Vikings be interested? If they had to make Baker the highest-paid safety in football on a long-term extension, probably not. If they could simply acquire the two years left on his current contract (cap hits of roughly $17-18 million), then maybe it would be a possibility.

Even though the Minnesota Vikings are at a contract impasse with defensive end Danielle Hunter, Baker may not want to reset the safety market with a viable contender (based on the wording in Schefter's report). Perhaps the Vikings can satisfy Hunter and Baker with short-term pay raises; they have $18 million in cap space.

In the early weeks of training camp, Minnesota may not see enough out of second-year safety Lewis Cine, who's coming off a compound leg fracture that required surgery, to trust him in a starting role. As a solution to bolster a pass defense that gave up the second-most yards last year, the Vikings could make an attempt to acquire Baker.

It would certainly be a major acquisition. Baker is 27 years old and has made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his six seasons in the NFL. He has been extremely durable and has produced at a very high level, with seven interceptions over the past three seasons to go with 34 career passes defended and 32 career tackles for loss. We're talking about a dynamic, well-rounded safety in his prime.

With that said, it feels rather unlikely that the Vikings make a move to acquire Baker. He comes with a very high price tag despite playing a non-premium position and having career PFF grades (between 65 and 75) that paint him as a great but not truly elite safety.

Additionally, it seems like the Vikings — who made moves to get younger and cheaper this offseason — will want to see what they have internally at the safety position. Harrison Smith is approaching the end of his career, but Minnesota also has Lewis Cine, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, and rookie Jay Ward on its roster. Cine may still have a bright future despite last year's injury and his pre-training camp position behind Bynum and Metellus on the depth chart.

So although Baker is young enough to be a long-term piece for any team, trading for him probably doesn't make sense for the Vikings. If they're going to spend big money on a defensive player this offseason, it might as well be on Danielle Hunter, who plays a more premium position.

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