Anquan Boldin in Ravens Purple?

The rumors out of the Castle in Owings Mills are that the Ravens are actively pursuing Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. The most bold of those rumors state that the Ravens are already having contract-extension discussions with Boldin’s agent.

Let us assume that these rumors are valid. What would be the costs, and gains of adding Boldin to the roster?

Cost #1:

From a cost perspective, the first-thing you have to discuss is the draft-pick(s?) it would cost to obtain him. As Boldin is a Free Agent after the 2010 season, and the Cardinals do not believe they can extend him; Arizona’s bargaining position is weakened a bit in-terms of what they can ask for in a trade. Boldin’s trade-value is also lower than it was before the 2009 season, as the player dealt with a number of injuries during his 7th year in the National Football League.

A couple of weeks ago, the Miami Herald reported that the Dolphins had interest in adding Boldin. Their speculation was that Arizona would ask for a 2nd-round draft-pick, but that the Dolphins would only be prepared to offer a 3rd, or lower. This begins to get to the value-area, I would assume the Ravens would have interest in. I guess the flip-side is that, if it ultimately only takes a 3rd or lower to obtain Boldin, there might be quite a few teams that have interest in obtaining him, thus increasing the leverage of Arizona.

The key to obtaining him, might be making an offer to Arizona early enough, that they are not in position to turn-down, and before they can drag in the interest of other-teams.

Cost #2:

Heading into the 2009 season, Boldin was coming off of a Super Bowl appearance, but was not happy due to his contract. Any deal for Boldin, would absolutely require a contract extension. Not just to wrap him up before he becomes a Free Agent, but to have him in the right frame-of-mind with a new organization.

The Ravens have to consider the cost of extending Boldin, and how that would impact the rest of the roster. (Particularly with players you want to extend in the near-term; Gaither, Ngata, Rice).

Gain #1:

If you are able to add Boldin, you have improved the quality of the receiving corps.
He is 6’1, 217 lbs, and will turn 30 next October.
During his 7 year career, he has made 586 receptions (including 173 the past two-seasons), for 7,520 yards. While his Career Yards Per Catch is relatively low at 12.8, his Career Yards After Catch at 5.3 is outstanding.

Boldin is not the elite of the elite, and I think was/is perfectly positioned in Arizona as a true number 2 receiver behind Fitzgerald. However, I do think he is a number 1 caliber of receiver. Meaning there are 32 teams in the NFL, and he would clearly be the number 1 receiver for many of those organizations.

Gain #2:

With each passing year, the Ravens franchise will be more identified with Joe Flacco. You have to surround Flacco with weapons he can utilize. While Flacco has tremendous arm-strength, he has had problems with the deep ball. Flacco at his best, has been a guy that hammers teams with his laser-arm with intermediate throws to the outside. Boldin might be the best guy to take advantage of Flacco’s current skill-set.

Conclusion:

I think there are a number of things at play here, besides just adding talent. The benefit of adding Boldin would/will be determined by the costs it takes to obtain and retain him.

There are risks at play here. A receiver that is turning 30, that has dealt with injury issues the last-two seasons is risky to invest in. He has been a possession receiver for his career, that has had great ability in making plays after the catch. His Yards Per Catch average the past two-seasons (11.7, and 12.2) are below his career average.

I understand the concern, but personally think he is worth the potential risk.

If the Ravens can get Boldin for a 3rd rounder, I am all for it. My belief is that Mason would be even more likely to resign with Baltimore, if Mason was aware he would be teamed with a weapon like Boldin. If I am reading the situation incorrectly, and Mason would be less-likely to resign with Baltimore with Boldin (because there would be less dollars to go around, and Mason would not receive the multi-year deal from the Ravens he seeks), the benefit of adding Boldin would be mitigated.

If you obtain Boldin, resign Mason, and Clayton – and draft a TE like Aaron Hernandez from Florida, or Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma; you could feel really good about the Ravens potential in the passing-game.

WR’s: Boldin, Mason, Stallworth, Clayton
TE’s: Heap, Hernandez/Gresham