Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort should handle Budda Baker, DeAndre Hopkins very differently

Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort has a lot to deal with approaching his first NFL Draft, including whether to trade two of the best players on his roster, DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker.

Ossenfort didn’t give a lot of detail about which direction he’s likely to go with either guy, but from here it seems obvious: Trade Hop, and give Budda a raise.

“I’m not gonna get into handling one of those situations in the public forum,” Ossenfort said at the team’s Tempe headquarters Friday. “I hope you guys appreciate that.”

Absolutely.

Ossenfort shouldn’t give away too much of his team-building strategy any more than a poker player should show his cards to the other guys at the table.

But Ossenfort needs draft picks. His roster has more holes than a fishing net, especially after losing Byron Murphy and Zach Allen in free agency.

Outside perspective: Former NFL GM weighs in on what Cardinals' Ossenfort is going through as draft nears

Ossenfort has added about 20 guys so far. But none have been the sort of splashy addition that we’ve seen in recent years. There are no blockbuster trades to land a guy like Hopkins or Chandler Jones. No big free agency swings for guys like J.J. Watt or James Conner.

“We’re trying to find the right players for the Cardinals … bringing in talent, depth and competition,” Ossenfort said. “The more that we can add on that, it’s going to improve everybody around us.”

That means he needs some young guys who show up ready to go, and no matter how much research teams do on potential selections, there are always players drafted early who can’t stay on the field (Andy Isabella) and guys drafted late who become stalwarts (Jalen Thompson).

Ossenfort has eight picks, currently.

He should be able to add to that by trading the third pick in the draft, a deal that could potentially return a top-10 selection and another first- or second-round slot this year, plus additional late-round picks this year or next.

He could really add to the haul if he deals Hopkins.

“I’ve had a lot of interaction with Hop,” Ossenfort said. “He’s been great. A lot of interaction back and forth. As it pertains to his situation, I’m going to keep those conversations between us … But Hop, he’s been proven to be a good player in this league, a very talented player.”

Make no mistake, Hopkins can play. I don’t care what the “rankings” or statistics say. There aren’t five guys in the NFL who can make the kinds of downfield catches that Hopkins can.

The Cardinals are going to start the season with a backup quarterback and a retooled offensive line. They’re going to struggle to win games regardless of who lines up outside. But Hopkins can make a contender into a champion.

Fresh look: Cardinals reveal new uniforms on social media

Plus, Arizona has talented receivers on the roster in Hollywood Brown and Rondale Moore.

Might as well leverage that for as many draft picks as possible.

It’s different with Baker.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations with Budda and his representation,” Ossenfort said. “A lot of productive conversations, and those continue to happen. … (But) I want those to remain between Budda and I. Those are personal. Those are private.”

Baker is a tone-setter who isn’t easily replaced.

From here, there’s no way one draft pick or even three draft picks could step in and provide what Baker adds to the franchise.

Ossenfort isn’t saying much, and he shouldn’t. But from here, it’s obvious: Trade Hop, and give Budda a raise.

Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @SayingMoore.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals GM Ossenfort should seek NFL draft haul for DeAndre Hopkins