The Dallas Cowboys are being urged to pursue a blockbuster trade for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker as the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline approaches and defensive problems mount.
Dallas sits at 2-3 after a recent loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The unit has surrendered 136 points through five games, ranking 25th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed.
Those numbers have left the Cowboys among the league’s most vulnerable defenses early in the season. Front-office attention has turned toward possible upgrades before the deadline.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlighted Baker as one potential target.
“The Cowboys entered Week 6 ranked 31st in yards allowed and 25th in points allowed. They need more defensive help, and many folks around the league believe they could trade to add it,” Knox wrote. “A marquee pass-rusher like Mack would make sense, as would another corner, a linebacker, or perhaps a versatile safety like Budda Baker.”
Baker, 30, is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals. He remains under contract through the 2027 season, which would give a new team control beyond a pure rental.
Through five games this year, Baker has recorded 36 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception. He posted 120 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks across 16 games in 2025.
Arizona’s 1-4 start has already produced one major move, the trade of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. That activity has fueled speculation that additional veterans could become available.
Multiple reports around the league have listed Baker among possible Cardinals trade candidates as the team evaluates its direction. Other clubs, including the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, have also been linked to the safety in various trade pitches.
For Dallas, the appeal centers on immediate defensive help at a position that has lacked consistent playmaking. Baker’s history of high tackle volume and occasional pass-rush production fits a unit that has struggled to generate stops.
The Cowboys already made one in-season deal, acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Additional moves remain possible if the right player becomes available at a manageable cost.
Baker’s age and remaining salary could temper his trade value compared with younger stars, according to analysts. Still, his production and remaining contract years keep him relevant for contenders seeking short-term stability.
Dallas ranks near the bottom of the NFL in several key defensive categories. Points allowed and total yards given up both place the team in the lower third of the league.
A successful push for Baker would require the Cardinals to be willing sellers and the Cowboys to meet their asking price in draft capital or players. No formal offer has been reported.
The Nov. 10 deadline leaves limited time for negotiations. Teams must finalize deals by 4 p.m. ET that day.
Whether Dallas ultimately targets Baker or another defender, the defensive shortcomings have made roster changes a clear priority. The Cowboys enter Week 6 looking for ways to stabilize a unit that has been a liability through the first month-plus of the season.
