Detroit Lions Free Agency: Just Say No 3

By Mike Payton | Mar 1, 2016

Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) fights for extra yards after a catch against Atlanta Falcons free safety Dwight Lowery (20) in the second half of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers Anquan Boldin poses with the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at the NFL Honors press room at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Let me preface this by saying that I’m a big Anquan Boldin fan. Back in the day when ESPN had their own football video game, I’m pretty sure that Boldin was the glitch. This dude caught whatever you threw to him. Plus as you can see above, he’s a high character guy too. I wouldn’t complain if he wound up in Detroit to be honest.

But here’s why that shouldn’t happen. Anquan will turn 36 midway through the 2016 season. While he’s shown that he can still be quite useful in his run with San Francisco, he’s the epitome of a short-term band-aid. The Lions would be lucky to get more than a year out of him. He’s a player that’s accomplished so many things in the NFL, he might just decide to retire this year as opposed to testing the waters anyways.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to the Lions. But he doesn’t fit the long-term goals of the franchise. Which appear to be about getting younger.

Next: Hakeem Nicks

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