I wrote a short piece the other day about the report that the Ravens are interested in acquiring Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. At the time I was not sure how I felt about the prospects of bringing one of the leagues best wideouts to Baltimore, but now, I think they should do the trade. The opportunity to acquire a game changing wide receiver does not happen everyday, and heck, when one does come available (Braylon Edwards), sometimes you are automatically ruled out. I understand the argument that a first and a third round pick are a lot for Boldin, because there is no doubt it is a hefty price. However, are the Ravens getting a better wide receiver today if they draft a Darrius Heyward Bey or Hakeem Nicks? Essentially, Boldin and the first round pick would cancel out so all the Ravens would be giving would be an additional third round pick in either this or next years draft. Imagine having Mason control the outside, Boldin catching passes over the middle of the field and Mark Clayton stretching defenses from the slot. A trio with Mason, Boldin, Clayton, plus Heap and L.J Smith would give the Ravens a dynamic receiver corp for Joe Flacco.
How the Ravens can afford to pay Boldin is another issue, and I can’t say for sure how they would considering they already have Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata who both deserve big pay days. The Ravens though, have not had a big-time playmaking receiver in their history and personally, with the oppurtunity availible, I think they should aquire the pro bowl receiver.
By acquiring Boldin, the Ravens would have to pay three players with long-term contracts. I’m not sure how they would do that. Boldin will want an extension as soon as he sets foot in Baltimore; one of the reasons he wanted to leave the Cardinals was their lack of movement on giving him one.
Also, do you want the Ravens, a team whose reputation is built on developing through the draft, giving up 1/3 of their picks in this year’s draft for a guy they’ll have to pick up the tab for to justify the trade?
Point taken, and I am all for the Ravens sticking to their philosophy of building the team through the draft. I think the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots and Colts have all shown that drafting well is the best way to consistantly field a competitive team.
However, I don’t think the Ravens can draft anybody with the 26th pick that is better than Boldin.
@MKRob peep this I found in favor of the Boldin trade to the Ravens http://tinyurl.com/clscem
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@MKRob peep this I found in favor of the Boldin trade to the Ravens http://tinyurl.com/clscem
This comment was originally posted on Twitter