Saints pushing to sign free-agent receiver Anquan Boldin

Drew Brees might be getting a new target.

Anquan Boldin has been unsigned this entire offseason, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the New Orleans Saints are pushing hard to sign him. Rapoport said Boldin has a strong relationship with Saints receivers coach John Morton, who used to be Boldin’s position coach with the San Francisco 49ers. Landing with an all-time great quarterback like Brees has to be a selling point to Boldin, too.

Receiver doesn’t appear to be a big need for the Saints, but many of their free-agent moves are unpredictable. Boldin had 69 catches for 789 yards and four touchdowns with the 49ers last season at age 35. Those numbers are respectable considering the 49ers’ quarterback situation was a mess.

This offseason the Saints cut longtime veteran Marques Colston, a big, physical receiver like Boldin. Boldin could move seamlessly into Colston’s old role in the New Orleans offense. The Saints did draft Michael Thomas in the second round to help replace Colston, but the coaching staff would probably feel more comfortable with a 13-year veteran with 1,009 career receptions in the lineup over a rookie, or another young player like Brandon Coleman. Boldin is also well respected around the league and would presumably be a leader in the Saints’ locker room.

At receiver the Saints have star Brandin Cooks, and Willie Snead almost had 1,000 yards last season. The Saints also spent a lot of money on pass-catching tight end Coby Fleener this offseason. The deal with Boldin isn’t done yet, but apparently the Saints are trying to add another established star to an already strong passing game.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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