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Buccaneers Should Consider Anquan Boldin

By Justin Schmick

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi /
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Buccaneers are still in need of some depth at the wide receiver position.  Can Anquan Boldin be the answer the Buccaneers are looking for?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began the 2016 NFL free agency period with money to spend. The Buccaneers were slightly $50 million under the salary cap, which so far has allowed them to make major moves such as re-signing pro bowl running back Doug Martin to a five year deal worth $35 million, former Seahawks offensive guard J.R. Sweezy for $32.5 million over the next 5 seasons, and former Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes for $16.5 million over the next 2 seasons.

All three of these players will certainly help the Bucs, but there are still moves to be made, especially in efforts to help Jameis Winston, whom will be going into his sophomore season as Tampa Bay’s signal caller tries to continue to develop into a winning quarterback in the NFL. What better way to accomplish this by giving the young quarterback a reliable veteran wide receiver, whom has proved to be one of the toughest men in the NFL? Anquan Boldin is available and could be a nice fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Anquan Boldin has had an excellent NFL career, which includes 13,195 yards on 1,009 receptions with 74 of those receptions being for touchdowns. He does also have a Super Bowl ring, which he received while playing for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season. Last season, while playing for the 49ers, Boldin played in 14 games and had 69 receptions for 789 yards.  Those statistics are not stats that will fly off the paper and impress one, but considering the terrible season the 49ers had and issues at the quarterback position Boldin still found a way to make the best of the 2015 season.

Far too often in a league filled with players with huge egos. Boldin showed total professionalism and still played hard every game. Sadly this is a trait that we don’t see often enough in the NFL. At age 35 it would be very easy to blame his age for the drop in production, but Boldin does keep himself in excellent shape, and would be a valuable asset to not only Jameis Winston, but to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson as well. Plus the Bucs could use a veteran voice in what is a locker room filled with lots of talented, but inexperienced players.

The Bucs still don’t have too much depth in the wide receiver position. This can certainly be addressed in the NFL draft, but with a player like Anquan Boldin on the market, why not use the draft to address other needs. Boldin has proven to be a valuable wide receiver throughout the duration of his NFL career.

Next: Bucs Looking To Continue Improving Offense

An offense that includes quarterback Jameis Winston, running back Doug Martin, and a trio of wide receivers, such as wide receivers Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, and Anquan Boldin would make the Bucs’ offense very difficult to stop.

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