10 Available Free Agents Who Could Still Help the San Francisco 49ers in 2016
By Peter Panacy
No. 10: Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin
Let’s get this one out of the way first.
The 49ers elected not to re-sign veteran wideout Anquan Boldin this offseason, even though the 35-year-old receiver was the team’s perennial leading pass-catcher since joining the Niners ranks in 2013.
Again, youth movement is the name of the game here. Boldin will turn 36 years old in October, and he showed some signs of slowing down in 2015. And the lack of interest from around the league doesn’t exactly provide a lot of confidence with this option.
Still, re-signing Boldin does make some sense when evaluating the remaining crop of wide receivers. Aside from Torrey Smith and, arguably, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington, the 49ers don’t have a lot of proven depth at this position.
Chris Biderman of NinersWire.com tells you all you need to know:
The #49ers have 12 receivers on the offseason roster. Four of them have more than two NFL receptions.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) May 18, 2016
True, the Niners drafted former Michigan State wide receiver Aaron Burbridge — a nearly identical clone to Boldin. But will he, or any of the other non-proven receivers rise to the occasion?
Why He Could Help
Boldin can’t be considered anything more than a stop-gap option to hold the line while some of the younger receivers develop. But he has a proven track record with quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, and that’s a good thing.
If Boldin is still available into training camp, and none of the younger wideouts are emerging, maybe re-signing the veteran isn’t a bad idea after all.
Next: Outside Linebacker Calvin Pace