The Lions still needed help in the receiving corps. Although Marvin Jones and Golden Tate headline the post-Megatron era, precious little was proven in depth beyond that. On Tuesday, the Lions went after one more free agent that they've tested out before; kicked the tires, so to speak. Sure enough, he has veteran experience and a connection to head coach Jim Caldwell.
Former 49ers, Ravens and Cardinals' WR Anquan Boldin plans to sign a 1-year deal with Lions, per sources. Two sides now finalizing deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2016
Anquan Boldin is being reported to be signing with the Lions, and Ian Rapoport quickly echoed the initial Adam Schefter report. He will be 36 in October and 2016 will be his fourteenth season in the league, but he's stayed productive. He had over 1000 yards receiving in 2014 and just shy of 800 in 2015, which he accomplished with a decaying 49ers quarterback situation. Boldin also has that Jim Caldwell connection, having played under him in Baltimore when Caldwell was the offensive coordinator for the Ravens.
For the rest of the Lions roster, there are certain implications immediate to the Boldin signing. For starters, Boldin probably catapults into the top half of the receiver chart, which means guys like Corey Fuller and Andre Caldwell are probably in jeopardy of not making the final roster in 2016. Corey Fuller in particular seems to be vulnerable.
UPDATE: Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press confirms the news:
Confirmed: Anquan Boldin will sign with the Lions. Veteran presence. We'll see what he has left at age (almost) 36
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) July 26, 2016