Anquan Boldin's free agency might be nearing its end. Training camp, which is the time when Boldin would be expected to start mastering a new offense, is just a couple weeks away, and one team has reportedly emerged as the favorite to sign the 35-year-old receiver.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints should be considered the frontrunner in the Boldin sweepstakes, which has drawn mild interest. Boldin reportedly visited the Lions and Redskins earlier this offseason.
Boldin is arguably the best receiver still left in free agency, heading a group of unsigned receivers that also includes Roddy White and James Jones.
As Rapoport reported, Boldin views New Orleans as an attractive destination because of receivers coach John Morton, who coached Boldin with the 49ers. Of course, he also might want to join the Saints, who cut Marques Colston this offseason, because he'd be catching passes from future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
If Boldin signs with the Saints, he'll slot in alongside the speedy Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas, who the Saints drafted in the second round of this year's draft. At this stage in his career (and for the past few years), Boldin's slowed considerably, but he's still a big-bodied target capable of warding off defenders on tightly contested passes.
Last season, while playing in a porous 49ers offense Boldin caught 69 passes for 789 yards and four touchdowns. As long as he's not the primary weapon of an offense, he still has plenty to offer. Plus, Boldin could also serve as a mentor for Cooks, 22, and Thomas, 23.
Boldin ranks 12th all-time in receptions with 1,009.
