Anquan Boldin has been a favorite target of Joe Flacco since he came to Baltimore before the 2010 season, even though Boldin hasn't quite put up the numbers that he did while with the Cardinals. After rejecting the Ravens' offer, he'll more than likely become a free agent and could be one of the top wide receivers on the market.
2013 NFL free agents: Where will Anquan Boldin catch on?
After getting his first Super Bowl ring, wide receiver Andquan Boldin will likely hit the open market. Where could he land?
More: 2013 NFL free agency
Essential Information
- Previous contract: Four years, $25 million
- Drafted: Second round, Cardinals, 2003
- Born: 10/3/80, Pahokee, Fla.
- Second-most famous person from his hometown: Fred Taylor
- Chinese Zodiac sign: Monkey
- Horoscope: The Snake is in the Fire group. Fire brings pressure on Monkey, which is in Metal group. Therefore, Monkey will encounter the busy schedule in their job positions.
Boldin began his career in Arizona, where he was selected in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Florida State. In his first NFL season, he put up over 1,300 yards receiving and scored eight touchdowns. In his seven seasons with the Cardinals, he had over 1,000 yards in five of them and scored 44 touchdowns.
He was traded to the Ravens before the 2010 season in exchange for third- and fourth-round picks. In his three years with the Ravens, he's had 2,645 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. In the postseason, on the road to the Ravens' second Super Bowl victory just this past year, Boldin had two 100-yard games, including 104 yards in the Super Bowl, and four touchdowns.
While Boldin was overshadowed by Torrey Smith's speed and Jacoby Jones' big plays, he's still one of the more reliable possession receivers in the NFL and will likely draw quite a bit of attention for teams looking for a No. 2 receiver. Boldin is a big for his position, standing at 6'1 and weighing in at 220 pounds, but still has the speed to beat some corners deep and has the durability and size to catch passes over the middle.
Boldin signed a four-year, $25 million deal with the Ravens before the 2010 season and wasn't supposed to become a free agent until after the 2013 season. However, after rejecting a pay cut from the team so they can get under the salary cap, it's likely that he'll be released. Players are able to talk with other teams as of today and sign with new teams beginning on March 12. Boldin will likely be listed alongside players like Greg Jennings and Wes Welker as the league's top free agent receivers heading into the 2013 season.
However, Boldin isn’t technically a free agent yet. After reportedly rejected the Ravens request he take a pay cut, it had been reported that he would be cut this coming Tuesday. However, the two sides are still hashing things out, according to ESPN, though Boldin is preparing to test the market should the Ravens follow through and release him.
Since his rookie season in 2003, Boldin has caught 772 passes for 10,165 yards and 58 touchdowns. As he has been one of the more reliable pass catchers for Flacco, especially this past postseason, his name is fresh on every coach’s mind. He likely won’t be on the open market for too terribly long as he’s sure to draw quite a lot of interest around the league.
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