Pro Bowl safety to land with the Detroit Lions.

The safety position appears to be a possible area for improvement as the Detroit Lions continue to add players to their roster in hopes of making a deep run this season. According to recent rumors from Bleacher Report, the Lions could be in a good position to make a big play in the safety market, with Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals being mentioned as a top target.

Since his debut, one of the NFL’s most exceptional safeties has been Budda Baker, who is renowned for his unwavering ability to create plays. Despite his strong play, Baker’s future with the Cardinals is still up in the air as he approaches his final season without a contract extension after asking to be traded during the offseason. He is a compelling choice for clubs trying to strengthen their defensive backfield because of this circumstance.

With roughly $31.1 million in cap space, the Lions are in a good financial situation and rank fourth in the NFL for available funds. They can absorb Baker’s existing deal and maybe extend it if they explore a move because to their financial flexibility. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder points out that adding Baker would improve the Lions’ secondary significantly and be both financially doable and a major upgrade over current starter Kerby Joseph.

Baker is of importance to Detroit for more reasons than just covering a void; it fits with their larger goals. With a squad designed to go deep into the playoffs and perhaps even win a Super Bowl, the Lions are viewed as contenders this season. A player of Baker’s caliber joining the team may be the kind of game-changing action that makes their defense one of the finest in the league. A youthful, developing Lions team that is primed for success would benefit greatly from Baker’s seasoned presence and postseason experience.

Although it seems like a good match and a financially sound move, General Manager Brad Holmes has never been one to make big, risky trade deals. Instead of making big moves, Holmes’ approach has frequently focused on developing through the draft and making strategic free-agent acquisitions. But if Detroit believes there is an urgent need at safety, Baker represents a tempting alternative that might be too good to pass up, given that his situation is still a talking point heading into the preseason.

The Lions’ actions—or lack thereof—with regard to the safety position will be widely observed as the preseason goes on. Budda Baker has the ability to completely transform Detroit’s defense, and the Lions’ decision to acquire him may indicate that they are officially going “all in” with the goal of winning big this coming NFL season. Holmes will need to evaluate the team’s present direction and choose whether to change his cautious approach to roster construction in order to give the team a chance to win a title before deciding whether to seek such a prominent player.