Ask Odegard: Is It Time To Trade Budda Baker?

Some good questions in the mailbag this week, and as always, I’ll give you my honest opinion.

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A lot of questions this week:

“The longer the Budda saga stretches on, it feels like a trade might be more likely than originally thought. What do you think it would/should take for Monti to say yes? A second?” – AZCardsBurner

Kyle Odegard: While likely in the minority, I’ve always been pro-trade of Budda. His base salaries the next two seasons are $13.1 and $14.2 million, and while he is worth those figures, it would be nice to clear the salary from a non-premium position and get a draft pick to boot.

This is a hard thing for Cardinals fans to hear, but trading Budda Baker makes sense:https://t.co/BEarxlGpiF

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) April 17, 2023

I agree that a second-rounder would be the right price. As we get into training camp, I’d be surprised if a trade happens because few teams can take on that type of cap hit, and the Cardinals wuldn’t be interesed in paying any of the freight. But it’s possible something happens if both sides dig their heels in the ground and stand firm.

I think the Cardinals have two options: trade Budda or have him play out this season on his current contract (with nominal added incentives to get him back on the field if that’s what it takes). But I would not extend him since he is already under contract through his age-29 season at the market rate. Tacking on more years could end up hurting the team.

Ex-Cardinals linebacker Lorenzo Alexander made some good points when he pushed back on my stance last week during my radio hit on Bickley & Marotta. Below is a more in-depth chat about the discussion.

Talked Kyler, Budda and more with @Bickley_Marotta this AM.https://t.co/V0UFemiwwg

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) July 7, 2023

“Is there a wide receiver on this Cardinals roster you see breaking out 750-850 yards minimum?” – Cody Marmon

KO: Hollywood Brown will get there. Rondale Moore has a shot, health permitting. I know, I know. I’ll believe it when I see it, too.

“Where’s ojulari?” – angrycardsfan

KO: It’s just business. Second-rounders take longer to sign because the guaranteed money is trickier. He will be there for camp and will hopefully show some burst off the edge because the Cardinals desperately need it.

“Do you think Kyler will start camp on PUP? If yes, does he come off anytime during camp?” – Jalen KwaMane

KO: I’d imagine he does start on PUP. It’s too early to know if he will come off it during camp, but if that happens, it’s a pretty good sign that there will be an aim to get him back within the first six weeks of action.

As I reported last week, Kyler is champing at the bit to get back and pushing for it to happen, but his long-term health is going to be kept in mind during that decision-making process.

Kyler Murray is itching to get back on the field:https://t.co/nnmQtrv2cL

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) July 6, 2023

“Fast forward, Cards have a top 2 pick but Kyler comes back last half of the season and performs well. Do they cut ties and draft one of the top young QBs or flip for more draft capital?” – BSB

KO: If Kyler comes back and performs well I would absolutely flip the pick for more draft capital. Yes, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are supposed to be great, but the hit rate on these quarterbacks is never 100%. 

What if you end up with a Baker Mayfield, a Sam Darnold, a Trey Lance? The Cardinals have the cap space and the draft picks to get the ship turned around starting in 2024, and a healthy and productive Kyler Murray would be a pretty great place to start.

“Collins and Simmons are shifting to new roles in the defense this year, do you think this will be a near-term benefit to these players going to more “natural” positions or are we in for potential growing pains in an already dicey season?” – Chalupa Batman

KO: I think it can be a near-term benefit for Simmons if he is used more in zone as a robber. There will be growing pains, but it’s the only position that I believe he can truly flourish, and it’s possible to see those dividends in 2023.

“Kam Chancellor, Jamal Adams, those guys didn’t play man coverage like that. They were rovers… You can devise a model that fits Isaiah Simmons.”

Great insight from my guy @DP_NFL ⬇️https://t.co/5lLmkQVAEP

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) June 23, 2023

I’m less sold on Zaven Collins at edge. I thought he played fine at inside linebacker, but he doesn’t fit there schematically under the new staff. This move feels more like a desperation swing because he fits there size-wise. Collins had a good pass-rushing grade in college but he was moved off the ball in the NFL for a reason. I’d be surprised if the Cardinals ever extract first-round value out of him.

(Yes, I am well aware that I could have written that paragraph about Haason Reddick, but he always showed burst on the edge despite being undersized. I don’t think Collins has the same quick-twitch movement skills.)

“Where do you think Dortch the Torch will fall in the lineup? I was enamored with Rondale Moore. When he’s healthy, he can ball out. But he’s rarely healthy. To me, Dortch is the healthier version of Moore and makes the most of EVERY time he got the ball. He plays his ass off.” – Chris R.

KO: If both are healthy, Moore is ahead on the depth chart because his athleticism is a notch higher. With that being said, this is a new coaching staff that should give Dortch a more fair shot than he received last season, when he was somehow behind A.J. Green on the wide receiver depth chart. 

Dortch has shown the ability to get open, which could be in short supply with this wide receiver group. It’s complicated because he is best-suited for the slot and the Cardinals can’t just roll out three pass-catchers 5-10 or shorter, but if Dortch looks good in camp he should at least find a part-time role, and then would be your full-time slot if Moore gets hurt again.

“There is 0 reason for Kyler to play this year but how does he feel about that??” – Patrick Cota 5

KO: I’ve detailed the reasons why it makes sense for Kyler to play this year, and I think he would be pissed if they tried to keep him off the field. Elite athletes don’t get to this position and then prefer to sit, no matter how bad the roster looks.

Keep Kyler Murray sidelined all year? The idea was floated again recently, this time on the NFL’s website.

Here's why it makes no sense: https://t.co/v7CNPlAP0x

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 18, 2023

“Is Trey McBride a good TE blocker?” – Ann Webb

KO: He might not be an absolute mauler but he’s good enough to be useful in this offense.

“There are rebuilds but this seems like a bigger tear down and complete start over. It may be the right thing to do. Do you have a sense of what the new GM and coach have in mind?” – Midwesterner

KO: It was definitely the right thing to do. It’s not easy for a team to punt on a season before it starts, but give me this process over what the Texans did. I think Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon are going to place an emphasis on adding impact players at premium positions, which means beefing up the pass-rush and cornerback spots on defense, while focusing on the offensive line and receiver on offense.

Just as importantly, I believe they will look to maximize the strengths of Kyler Murray when it comes to team-building and play-calling, which was something the previous regime failed to do. I think it’s a good plan but it will be awhile before we see if it’s executed.

“Who are your playoff teams in each Conference?” – Cards Fan 8

KO: NFC: 49ers, Eagles, Lions, Saints, Cowboys, Seahawks, Bears

AFC: Bengals, Chiefs, Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, Ravens, Dolphins

“How much of a valuable addition to Cards is Hjalte Froholdt?” – Charles M.A. Thomsen

KO: Meh. Wouldn’t shock me if a young guy beats him out for the starting center job.

“Where are Paris Johnson/DJ Humphries getting reps at on the line? Is Jon Gaines getting work in at Center? Thanks Kyle.” – Kit_Daddy

“Do we have any idea where Paris Johnson will actually play? –Yuppie Abroad

KO: Many think Johnson will play left guard but I’m hearing that the Cardinals want him to play tackle. I’d expect Paris at right tackle, Humphries at left with Josh Jones the swing guy. I’d also expect Jon Gaines to get some work at center.

“What is your Day One offensive line?” – Tone Garneau

KO: Humphries at left tackle, Will Hernandez at left guard, Jon Gaines at center, Dennis Daley at right guard and Johnson at right tackle.

“Who is going to be the LB and the D Line?” – LUGIAsaurio

KO: Can you hold the point of attack? If so, the answer is LUGIAsaurio.

Seriously, this is one of the most depressing front sevens you will see: Cameron Thomas, Rashard Lawrence, L.J. Collier, Zaven Collins, B.J. Ojulari, Kyzir White, Krys Barnes.

“Do you think Murray will be ready to start before mid season?” – Samuel Berger

KO: I think so, yeah.

“How many games do you realistically expect the Cardinals to win? Buying into the 2-15 hype? Obviously the team is looking toward a rebuild, but there have been worse teams than what they have on paper.” – Fritz Lienemann

KO: I went game-by-game when the schedule came out and ended up at 4-13. Sticking by that for now, but honestly, it could be worse. There is a major talent deficit, especially if Kyler isn’t ready after a handful of weeks.

Can the Cardinals surpass their regular season win total of 4.5?

My game-by-game prediction:https://t.co/wv79VdzryC

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 15, 2023

“What are we gonna do with the top two picks?” – Corduroy

KO: You’d definitely trade down with one of them and still try to get Marvin Harrison, Jr. But that’s as far as my crystal ball goes.

“How’s the o line going to function better after years of being one of the worst in the league. Is QB an open competition? The defensive tackles haven’t produced and have been a run liability…how can that change with the group they have now?” – Scott A. Bailey

KO: 1) This should be a much more offensive-line-friendly offense than the last one, with more running and more play-action. I’m actually mildly optimistic about the line.

2) I’m almost positive it will be Colt and then Kyler, but we will see if Clayton Tune can channel his inner Brock Purdy.

3) It won’t with the group they have now. It’s going to be much worse without J.J. Watt and Zach Allen.

“Which rookie do you expect to have an immediate impact?” – KCStories

KO: Paris Johnson and Michael Wilson.

“Yeah, we tanking this year?” – BHenry47

KO: Ossenfort did the tanking this offseason by gutting the roster. The Cardinals aren’t going to head into training camp trying to lose. The Seahawks’ surprise 2022 is an example of a team blowing away expectations, and that will be the goal of Gannon. 

But if the record is like 2-10 late in the year… yeah, more tanking may commence.

“Who do you think starts the season at QB? Do you think Kyle Murray plays this season? Do you think the Cardinals bring in another RB? Who will have a better season, Greg Dortch or Moore?” – Kropp

KO: 1) Colt McCoy
2) Hell yes
3) Yes
4) Moore

What are your thoughts about the Cardinals winning the Super Bowl this year. I would say 99% 🙂 – Warrior4Life100

KO: Only 99% more confident than I am!