The Baltimore Ravens struck first in their division when the NFL’s free agency period opened on Friday. Baltimore’s front office traded for Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals for a third- and fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft. Not a bad deal, but I’m not crazy about it.
Boldin fills a hole on the Ravens roster, but he’s not the speedy receiver that the Ravens need. He’s big, fast and physical, but I don’t think he can blow by cornerbacks. I like his physical style of play, but it sometimes costs him some games every season. Boldin hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year in 2003.
Baltimore extended his contract by three years, guaranteed him $10 million and gave him up to $25 million. He is now a receiver for the Ravens until 2013. The contract is fair for a wide receiver and makes the player happy. Boldin had 84 catches for 1,024 yards in 15 games in 2009 which is fine, but not No. 1 productivity. A reason Boldin may not have had great productivity is because on the other side of the field was Larry Fitzgerald.
We’ll see how it goes with Boldin in the Ravens offense with Donte’ Stallworth and Mark Clayton.
On the other end of the free agency spectrum, Denver agreed to a contract with defensive lineman Justin Bannan. Bannan will be the starting defensive tackle in Denver’s 3-4 scheme.
The Ravens now have a need at defensive tackle. Before Bannan left, they needed a younger defensive lineman to play along side Haloti Ngata. I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore drafts defensive tackle in the first round of the Draft.
Also, with the absence of Bannan, the Ravens may feel more inclined to re-sign Dwan Edwards. Edwards has a chance to sign a big contract for the first time ever in his career, but if the Ravens want to keep him, he will be back in Baltimore in 2010.
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