Perfect Bills-Cardinals Trade Proposal to Respond to the Jessie Bates-Jaguars Deal

A safety target for Buffalo

Jacksonville and Atlanta reportedly opened the late trade-deadline activity with a deal for Jessie Bates III. The Jaguars are set to receive the safety in exchange for a second- and fifth-round pick.

Buffalo could turn to Arizona’s Budda Baker instead. The Bills have a significant need in the secondary, and the proposal suggests Baker could address it at a lower cost than the Bates deal.

The suggested trade price

A fourth-round pick might not be enough to persuade Arizona, while a third-round selection is presented as a fair offer. The piece argues Buffalo could consider paying that price, even if the move requires more than one pick.

Arizona has been linked with selling players, and Baker is one of its notable trade assets alongside Josh Sweat. Baker is 30, in the final year of his contract and does not have a team-friendly deal, factors that could make draft compensation preferable to losing him in free agency.

Baker’s value on defense

Baker has recorded 29 tackles, one interception, four passes defended and 3.5 sacks. The season is described as decent, though not among the best of his career. His potential benefit to Buffalo extends beyond pass coverage. The proposal emphasizes his ability to help against the run and limit big plays, addressing a defense ranked 24th in total yards allowed, according to Pro Football Reference.

A demanding stretch ahead

Buffalo has the NFL’s No. 1 offense, according to Pro Football Reference, but its defense is ranked in the bottom half of the league. The proposed addition is framed as a way to strengthen the team before the second half of the season and the postseason.

The Bills’ December opponents are New England, Green Bay, Chicago and Denver, in that order. The Patriots, Packers and Bears each rank among the top 10 passing offenses, while Chicago and New England also rank among the top 10 rushing offenses, per Pro Football Reference.