The NFL turned heads today as reports surfaced that wide reciever Anquan Boldin would be traded to the San Francisco 49ers, pending a physical. Boldin is currently in Africa on a service trip, so the deal won’t be official until he gets back, but it is all but set in stone that Boldin will be a 49er in 2013.
There are many mixed emotions to this deal as Boldin was certainly a fan favorite. The fact is however, that the Ravens will now gain $6 million dollars to use in free agency. It is uncertain what general manager Ozzie Newsome and the rest of the staff will do, but there is a real possibility that they will look to sign a free agent wide receiver off the market.
If they decide to turn that way, here are a few names that could be discussed:
Wes Welker: Welker is a free agent and the Patriots will have to make the decision whether to make him a contract offer or not. He is currently 32, but still has a lot left in the tank. He could be a fit in Jim Caldwell’s offense, which likes to keep an even balance of pass and run. If Welker became a Raven, he would work well as a short-game option for Flacco.
Mike Wallace: Moving from Pittsburgh to Baltimore would be a move to remember, that’s for sure. But if Wallace wants a place to win, Baltimore is the place. Reports say that Miami is a possible suitor, but does Wallace really want to go to the Dolphins? If Wallace was smart, he would come to a Super Bowl champion team with a dynamite quarterback. However, money usually talks.
Danny Amendola: Amendola is by far the most underrated player of the 2013 free agent class. His hands are fantastic, and he runs routes with the best of them. He would also be cheaper than anyone else for the Ravens. He was Sam Bradford’s top target in St. Louis, and with the Rams being tight on money, he could end up donning the purple and black.
Greg Jennings: It is all but certain that Jennings will not be a Packer next year. He has shown that when healthy, he can be a top-10 NFL wide receiver. He would be a great counter to Torrey Smith and could mentor third-year wide receiver Tandon Doss.
3 Raves on “KIDZ KORNER: Possible free agent replacements for the departed Anquan Boldin”