Cleveland acquired veteran defensive end Al 'Bubba' Baker…

The Exchange

Cleveland acquired veteran defensive end Al 'Bubba' Baker from the Cardinals in September 1987. Arizona received a 1988 fifth-round selection that became No. 132, Tony Jordan. The exchange was a classic veteran-for-pick move: Cleveland sought immediate defensive help, while the Cardinals chose to convert an experienced player into a future draft asset. Arizona Cardinals Return Arizona gained a fifth-round pick and therefore preserved value beyond the current season. The selection was not premium capital, and Tony Jordan did not turn the trade into a major historical victory. Even so, receiving a defined future choice for an older veteran gave the Cardinals flexibility and a clean opportunity to refresh the roster without taking on another player contract in return. Cleveland Browns Return Cleveland received Baker, a proven pass rusher with a substantial NFL résumé by the time of the trade. That made the Browns' reasoning understandable: a contender can value known veteran ability more than the uncertain outcome of a fifth-round choice. The limitation is that Cleveland was buying the later stage of Baker's career, so the return had less long-term runway than Arizona's draft asset. Value in Hindsight The transaction sits close to even because both sides pursued sensible goals and the stakes were limited. Cleveland got experience; Arizona got future capital. The Cardinals receive the slight advantage because turning an aging veteran into a fifth-round pick created longer-term flexibility, while Cleveland's benefit was primarily immediate. There is not enough separation for a large grade gap or a harsh judgment. Final Verdict Arizona earns a C+ and Cleveland a C. The Cardinals' future pick provides the marginally better value profile, while the Browns' acquisition of Baker remains defensible as a short-term football move. This is a small Cardinals win built on asset timing and flexibility, not on a dramatic difference in player outcome.