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NFL Free Agency: 10 Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Target in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during warm ups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during warm ups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin

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Let’s start with the 49ers’ own free agents. Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin has been the team’s leading receiver in each of the last three years. Despite a seemingly off year in 2015 — granted, the 49ers offense ranked dead last — Boldin still managed to be a favored target in San Francisco’s passing attack.

But Boldin will turn 36 years old in October. And, in spite of his locker-room leadership, are the Niners concerned whether or not he’ll remain an effective contributor at this stage in his career?

On top of that, Boldin may not be the player head coach Chip Kelly envisions at this position. True, Boldin is still physical and capable of making contested grabs. But the 49ers may want to get younger and/or explore options via the draft.

But those commodities may not pan out. And, aside from wide receiver Torrey Smith, the Niners lack a lot of proven options at this position.

The 49ers should explore the idea of bringing back the veteran for at least one final season in San Francisco.

Next: NT Ian Williams