Anquan Boldin signs one-year deal with Detroit Lions

Veteran possession receiver and 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient Anquan Boldin has signed a one-year deal to play for the Detroit Lions.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions are finalizing a one-year deal with veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin had spent his previous 13 NFL seasons (2003-15) with the Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Boldin has been a three-time Pro Bowler, won a Super Bowl with the 2012 Ravens, and earned the 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year award as a member of the 49ers. He is likely Canton bound, as Boldin has been one of the best possession receivers in the last 15 years.

Going on 36 years old, Boldin has 1,009 career receptions for 13,195 yards, and 74 touchdowns. Though he could have conceivably hung up the spikes after winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year award playing for a bad 2015 49ers team, Boldin might be joining an NFC Playoffs sleeper team in the 2016 Lions.

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Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has consistently thrown for over 4,000 yards annually as the Detroit franchise quarterback. Though the Lions have lost All-Pro wideout Calvin Johnson to retirement after nine unbelievably NFL seasons, Stafford seemed to have found great continuity running Jim Bob Cooter’s offense once Cooter became offensive coordinator mid-season.

Detroit needs reliable pass catchers for Stafford to rifle the football to and Boldin is still a very capable NFL receiver in his late 30s. Boldin has had seven 1,000 receiving seasons and is always a threat to bring in 75 catches annually. With Stafford’s rocket arm and Boldin’s sure handedness in receiving, this could be a strong year for both quarterback and wideout in Detroit.