The Buffalo Bills are 5-1 heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but it’s been in spite of their defense — not because of it. Buffalo’s pass defense ranks 31st in the NFL, allowing 285.8 yards per game, and the team has allowed the second-most passing touchdowns in the league (15). The Bills are also giving up 28.5 points per game (30th), and Super Bowl champion C.J.
Gardner-Johnson hasn’t been the answer in the defensive backfield many hoped he’d be. The secondary is arguably the Bills’ biggest problem, and SI’s Albert Breer reported they’re looking to add one or two defensive pieces before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes there’s an eight-time Pro Bowler who could help fix some of Buffalo’s anguish on the defensive side of the ball.
In their ranking of the top 25 trade-deadline candidates, Fowler and Matt Bowen tabbed the Bills — as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars — as a fit for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who’s rumored to be available following the blockbuster trade that sent receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Cardinals to the Houston Texans. He's owed $16.2 million this year and $17.8 million next year. People I've talked to believe the Cardinals should try to get something for Baker.” The 30-year-old Baker has topped 100 tackles in six of his first nine seasons, and he’s on pace for his seventh this year.
He’s also logged nine career interceptions and 13.5 career sacks. Baker’s coverage numbers aren’t elite, but he does the things Buffalo’s defense hasn’t done, including getting after the quarterback. His 3.5 sacks this season are a big deal for a Bills team with just 11 sacks, six of which have come from Gregory Rousseau alone.
Baker told ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss he hasn’t requested a trade or asked not to be traded, and said he hopes that “when the deadline ends, I’ll still be here.” He’s owed $16.2 million this season and $17.8 million next year, so he’d be more than just a rental, meaning his trade value wouldn’t be as cheap as other players on expiring contracts. Still, Arizona needs draft capital to finish its rebuild, and a contender like Buffalo could be the team to give the Cardinals what they want for one of the best defensive players in franchise history.
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