Under the circumstances, the Ravens made a good move in signing Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin. The Ravens were limited as far as the offseason moves they could make because they were one of the top eight teams in the NFL a year ago.
To get the big prize like Denver receiver Brandon Brandon Marshall, the Ravens would have had to give up a No. 1 pick. No way. I wouldn't give up a first-round pick, not with Ozzie Newsome's proven success in the first round.
Instead, the Ravens are giving up middle round picks for Boldin, something they can always get back with another trade or possibly a compensatory pick in the future. Boldin doesn't have the speed and isn't the vertical threat the Ravens need, but he is an upgrade to the receiving corps. The Ravens signed Boldin to a four-year $28 million contract, and you can bet he'll be in shape and ready to prove himself in the 2010 season.
Boldin is a Derrick Mason-type receiver, but younger, bigger, stronger and faster. He is proven and will help the Ravens. The best thing about this deal is that the Ravens can still get the vertical threat they need in the draft, and/or a tight end. Like last season, they still might be able to find a cornerback in the later rounds.
If Boldin can stay healthy, and with the addition of Donte' Stallworth, if he can return to form, the Ravens have become serious contenders. They should be able to win defensive games as well as shootouts.