AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Arizona Cardinals trade speculation includes Budda Baker, James Conner, Haason Reddick

By Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic,

1 days ago

The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. MST and the rumors and speculation surrounding many players and teams are heating up.

And the Arizona Cardinals are included in the chatter.

Could the Cardinals, who are off to a 2-4 start to the season, trade some of their best players before the 2024 NFL trade deadline? Could they attempt to land players?

Check out what NFL writers are saying about the Cardinals and the trade deadline, which will be here before we know it. The trade talk currently includes some prominent Cardinals (Budda Baker, James Conner) and a prominent former Cardinal (Haason Reddick).

Could Arizona really be involved with trades including those players?

USA TODAY Sports : James Conner could be on trade block for Arizona Cardinals

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote: "Arizona signaled a forthcoming changing of the guard in its backfield when it selected Trey Benson in the third round of April's NFL draft. With the Cardinals standing at 2-4 and Conner set to become a free agent after the season, why not make the transition now? Conner, 29, might not have a robust market, but he's a physical runner who can handle a heavy workload."

USA TODAY Sports : Budda Baker could be on trade block for Arizona Cardinals

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote: "Sending off one of the few staples on the Cardinals' severely undermanned defense surely would cause a stir. But general manager Monti Ossenfort has repeatedly taken the long view in reworking Arizona's roster, and listening to offers for Baker, 28, seems like a shrewd move given how expansive the team's needs are. The six-time Pro Bowl selection (with one coming as a special teams choice) still has plenty of playmaking range on the back end, making him an intriguing piece for any team willing to go big with an in-season reshaping of its secondary."

Commentary: Budda Baker's days with Arizona Cardinals could be nearing an end

ESPN : Zach Pascal trade to Los Angeles Chargers 'makes sense' for Arizona Cardinals

Bill Barnwell wrote: "While Pascal averaged more than 14 offensive snaps per game last season, that mark is down to just over six per game in 2024. That's probably about the point where he might be a better fit elsewhere. The Chargers are comfortable rotating their receivers in and out of the lineup and had nine different players catch a pass in the first 20 minutes of their Week 6 win over the Broncos. With added work on special teams, he would be an ideal fourth or fifth wide receiver to carry on game days as they try to compete for a playoff spot."

CBS Sports : Arizona Cardinals need to trade Budda Baker to Houston Texans

Cody Benjamin wrote: "When at full speed, Baker is arguably one of the NFL's top safeties. He briefly requested a trade out of Arizona prior to this season, however, while seeking a major pay raise, and missed multiple games in both 2022 and 2023. With the Cardinals struggling on defense and off to a 2-4 start, his relocation prospects could ramp up. And Houston has battled injuries on the back end, with Jeff Okudah and Jimmie Ward both banged up. As a rental for the rest of the season, he could help the Texans' chances of a deep run."

A to Z Sports : Cardinals could trade James Conner at NFL trade deadline

Wendell Ferreira wrote: "Conner has been a productive player, but he's 29 and the Cardinals have just drafted Trey Benson to be their guy at the position. Arizona would open up $2.345 million by trading Conner, which per se isn't a big incentive to make the move. However, if a desperate team is willing to give up a decent draft capital compensation, the Cardinals would probably listen to it."

A to Z Sports : Cardinals could trade Budda Baker at NFL trade deadline

Wendell Ferreira wrote: "This is a spicy one because the Cardinals exercised a club option to keep him around in 2024 and he is still a really good player in a defense that lacks really good players. And Baker is still 28, so presumably he can play at least two more years at a high level. The problem for the Cardinals is that he is a free agent next offseason. Moving Baker would create $7.5 million in cap space, but it's hard to foresee someone willing to pay that salary plus significant draft compensation. So the options are keeping him through the end of the season trying to negotiate a new deal later on, pay part of his remaining salary to get a higher pick, and trade him for basically nothing just to save money, which seems the least likely scenario at this point.

Arizona Cardinals in the mix? Standout NFL pass rusher Haason Reddick is on the market

Bleacher Report : Cardinals potential suitor for Haason Reddick in trade

Kristopher Knox wrote: "The Cardinals, who have $22.2 million in cap space available, should be interested. Arizona is hanging around the playoff picture, has already lost B.J. Ojulari (torn ACL) for the season and employs head coach Jonathan Gannon—Reddick's defensive coordinator in Philadelphia two years ago."

Bleacher Report : Budda Baker could be trade target for Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions

Kristopher Knox wrote: "The Detroit Lions, who have a fully-open Super Bowl window, should be interested. Detroit's defense has been better this year but ranks in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed. The Lions also recently placed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve. Baker could also be a sensible trade target for the Cowboys. Dallas is still in the playoff mix and has gotten underwhelming play from safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker."

The 33rd Team : Cardinals potential trade destination for Haason Reddick

Tyler Brooke wrote: "The idea of going back to Arizona might not still well with Reddick, but it's a completely overhauled front office and coaching staff. In fact, head coach Jonathan Gannon was Reddick's defensive coordinator in Philadelphia during his career year in 2022 that ended with a second-team All-Pro selection. The Cardinals have the cap space to bring Reddick in and give him a top-of-market deal. They're projected to have more than $119 million in cap space in 2025."

NFL playoff picture Week 7: Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos give AFC West 3 playoff contenders

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today .

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals trade speculation includes Budda Baker, James Conner, Haason Reddick

Comments /

Add a Comment

Comments / 0

Community Policy