Ravens outmaneuver AFC rivals with bold trade rumor to fix pass-defense

With AFC rivals making big moves ahead of the trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens need to respond. Just this past week, we saw the New York Jets land Davante Adams and the Buffalo Bills snag Amari Cooper.

Baltimore, meanwhile, boasts a solid 4-2 record, including a statement win over the Bills (35-10) in Week 4. But that game didn’t feature Cooper, who caught a touchdown in his first game as a Bill. So, the arms race is real, and it’s heating up.

With the secondary looking shaky and ranked 31st against the pass, the Ravens need reinforcements. Enter Budda Baker, the six-time Pro Bowl safety from the Arizona Cardinals.

While Arizona isn’t openly shopping him, there’s enough smoke to suggest he could be available for the right price. Adding a player of Baker’s caliber could be a difference-maker for a Ravens defense that’s been stout against the run but vulnerable through the air.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker would be a perfect addition to the Baltimore Ravens' secondary

Baker’s pedigree speaks for itself: six Pro Bowl nods, multiple All-Pro selections, and a reputation as one of the most relentless tacklers in the league.

Through six games in 2024, he’s already racked up 60 tackles, proving he’s still a force at 28. His presence alongside Kyle Hamilton could transform the Ravens’ secondary, providing both physicality and improved communication.

In addition to his on-field talent, Baker brings the kind of attitude that aligns with Baltimore’s “play like a Raven” mantra. He’s a vocal leader and a proven competitor. He's the stabilizing presence that could help the Ravens make a deep playoff push.

Given Baltimore’s history of aggressive trade-deadline moves (see Marcus Peters, Roquan Smith, and Yannick Ngakoue), Baker is well within the realm of possibility.

The Ravens have just $4.1 million in cap space, which presents a challenge. But there are ways around that: restructured contracts, or perhaps getting Arizona to eat part of Baker’s remaining salary for a better draft pick package.

Baltimore's general manager, Eric DeCosta, has shown time and again he’s willing to be bold and creative when the team’s success is on the line. And with this year’s secondary issues, he may need to go bolder than ever.

If the Ravens are serious about contending, this is the kind of move they must consider, especially with AFC contenders beefing up their receiving corps. And with Baker in a contract year, the Cardinals would likely prefer getting something in return rather than watching him walk in free agency.

The Ravens' secondary will get ample tests against the game's greatest passers this season. To name a few, they still face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield, the Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert, the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts, and the Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud.

The Ravens are at a pivotal point. They can’t afford to be passive while teams like the Bills and Jets arm up. Adding Budda Baker isn’t just a potential upgrade - it’s a statement.

It’s about keeping pace in a loaded AFC and fixing the most glaring weakness on a team that’s been otherwise dominant. It’s time for Baltimore to play chess, not checkers. Will DeCosta make the big move, or roll the dice on what he already has? Stay tuned as the deadline looms.

The Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations might depend on what they do next.

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