Budda Baker Rumors: NFL Exec Sets Cardinals Star's Trade Value at Day 2 Draft Pick

The Arizona Cardinals might struggle to land a first-round pick in a trade involving star safety Budda Baker, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.

Breer spoke to an NFC team executive who said a second- or third-round pick might be the ceiling for Baker's value. The exec noted the Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jamal Adams trades saw a first-rounder change hands but said those two were younger than Baker and had a little more contract security.

Baker will make $13.1 million in 2023 and has a $14.2 million club option for 2024.

Adams only had two years to run on his rookie deal with the New York Jets when they traded him to the Seattle Seahawks, so it's a reasonably close parallel to Baker's present situation.

Still, you could argue the Seahawks overpaid for Adams when they included two first-round picks in the outgoing package, and the four-year, $70.6 million extension he signed in 2021 hasn't aged well.

That's bound to influence how much a team is willing to offer the Cardinals since a new contract for Baker is likely part of the overall cost.

The five-time Pro Bowler could wind up sticking around in Arizona. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he requested a trade but followed up to say Baker was initially open to an extension that makes him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.

Based on some cryptic social media posts, that ship may have sailed:

As much as losing Baker would hurt the Cardinals on the field, a trade aligns with their short-term priorities. They basically hit the reset button by hiring a new head coach and general manager this offseason, and Kyler Murray's recovery from a torn ACL will likely rule him out for the start of the 2023 season.

Netting a good Day 2 pick and maybe additional draft filler would allow the front office to continue building for the future. Removing his salary from the books in 2024 would also give them increased flexibility for free agency or accommodating a blockbuster trade.