Baltimore acquired Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round pick for…
Baltimore acquired Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round pick for third- and fourth-round selections, then watched Boldin become a dependable playoff receiver and a central figure in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII championship. Arizona used the third-rounder on Andre Roberts and later moved the fourth-round pick, receiving some useful value but no comparable star. The fifth-rounder Baltimore received became Arthur Jones, adding another contributor to an already lopsided return.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 2010 3rd round pick (88th overall, Andre Roberts)
- pick 2010 4th round pick (123rd overall subsequently traded, Al Woods )
Baltimore Ravens Received
- player Anquan Boldin
- pick 2010 5th round pick (157th overall, Arthur Jones)
Trade Analysis
Anquan Boldin had already given Arizona seven productive seasons when the relationship reached its endpoint. Baltimore wanted a physical veteran receiver for Joe Flacco and sent the Cardinals third- and fourth-round picks in 2010. Arizona also sent a fifth-round pick with Boldin, making the price especially favorable for the Ravens if the veteran still had high-level football left.
He did. Boldin caught 64 passes for 837 yards and seven touchdowns in his first Baltimore season, remained a steady starter for three years, and became most valuable when the Ravens made their 2012 championship run. In four playoff games that postseason he produced 22 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns. His Super Bowl XLVII line included six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore acquired exactly the type of contested-catch, big-game receiver it had been seeking.
The extra fifth-round pick became defensive lineman Arthur Jones, who developed into a starter and contributed to the same championship defense. Arizona's return was not empty. The Cardinals used pick No. 88 on Andre Roberts, who caught 182 passes for 2,123 yards over four Arizona seasons and also contributed as a returner. Pick No. 123 was later traded to New Orleans as Arizona moved down and added another selection.
Roberts' usefulness keeps Arizona from a failing grade, but Baltimore received the best player, three productive seasons, major postseason performance and another starting-caliber contributor. The Ravens deserve an A+. Arizona gets a C+ for converting a player it was prepared to move into some functional roster value, but the difference in peak impact and championship contribution is decisive.