Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Multiple reports have surfaced that free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin and the San Francisco 49ers are closing in on a deal. The reports don’t come as a shock considering both parties expressed interest in getting Boldin signed. The 49ers claimed that re-signing Boldin was a top priority this season. He will be 34 years old during the 2014 NFL season, so it will interesting to see what kind of deal he will get.
Boldin has been one of the most consistent and reliable possession receivers in the NFL for the past decade. Last season, he led the 49ers in receiving and fantasy football general managers who drafted him reaped the benefits. According to Pro Football Reference, Boldin finished the regular season as the 15th ranked wide receiver and the 36th best player overall with 161 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues.
It is clear that Boldin will be back in one of the most proficient offenses in the NFL next season, the question is, how much longer can he keep his impressive production?
With players like Michael Crabtree, Quinton Patton and Mario Manningham coming back from major injuries and planning on playing full seasons, Boldin will surely see his fantasy value take a hit in the upcoming year. Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis were the only two legitimate passing threats that Colin Kaepernick had to throw to for most of last season. With the injection of more players into the position it will be difficult to see Boldin achieve the production he had in 2013.
He will still be valuable in fantasy and can be considered a mid-range WR-2 heading into fantasy drafts. Owners must be careful not to overdraft Boldin because of what he did last season, but he is still a great fantasy football option in 2014.
Alexander Muir is a writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AmuirAlex, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on your network on Google.
