The Colts need to add more difference makers on defense, and this recently proposed trade would have Indianapolis replacing a starter that left in free agency with a former All-Pro at the position.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen on the SiriusXM NFL radio set at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Indianapolis Colts accomplished their biggest goals of the offseason on the offensive side of the ball. This was retaining both quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. The defensive side of the ball has been a different story for the Colts, though, sadly.
They have only added one projected starter in free agency in linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. And they’ve seen multiple starters leave either through free agency or trade. A Fox Sports NFL analyst believes the team should try to pull off a big trade during the 2026 NFL Draft. They would add an All-Pro defender, but it isn’t at the position you are probably thinking, though.
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Colts land Cardinals star safety Budda Baker in a recent suggested trade proposal
Acquire: S Budda Baker from the Arizona Cardinals
Cost: 2026 third-round pick (78th), 2027 sixth-round pick
They lost safety Nick Cross in free agency, a huge hit to their defense that they have yet to adequately address. Enter Baker, who’s 30 years old and signed through 2027? Surely, the rebuilding Cardinals would make him available and be happy to rid themselves of the remaining two years and $33 million left on his deal.
The Colts think they can contend if QB Daniel Jones is healthy, so adding a safety who has gone to seven straight Pro Bowls to play behind CB Sauce Gardner would be exactly the anchor their defense needs, even if it costs them a Day 2 pick.
Ralph Vacchiano
Fox Sports NFL Analyst
The Colts have been linked to multiple defensive players this offseason who could be had via trade. The team has too many needs on that side of the ball for the 2026 NFL Draft to fill. To list them off, the team has a need for an edge, a linebacker, a safety, and soon cornerback.
Here, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports says the Colts should fill their safety need via trade. He has the Colts trading for Cardinals All-Pro safety Budda Baker, who has been viewed as one of the best safeties in the NFL for a while now.
I’ve been a huge fan of Baker over the years, and he would certainly be an upgrade for the Colts. To be honest, though, I don’t think safety is a position the Colts need to target via trade. The safety group in this draft class is deep with talent, and the Colts have a more pressing defensive need.
I think pulling off a trade before or during the draft to add a defensive starter needs to be the Colts’ plan. I would do it for an edge rusher, though. I’ve stated in the past that I think the Colts’ ideal trade candidate should be Baker’s teammate on the Cardinals, Josh Sweat.
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