Should the Jets Make a Run for Boldin?

All the focus has been on the Giants, but the Jets need a top receiver as well

When the Cardinals announced that they'd be shopping wide receiver Anquan Boldin, everyone was quick to put the Giants at the top of the list of potential bidders. The Jets should be there as well, too, because Boldin is a better fit for the Jets offense than he is for the Giants.

As it stands right now, the Jets offense is a collection of more ifs than a Kipling poem. If Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff asserts himself as the starting quarterback, the offense will cook. But only if David Clowney can become a serious deep threat, and only if Dustin Keller makes strides as the every-down. If Leon Washington can remain effective with a maximized role, they have a weapon and, well, that's enough ifs to make a man lose his head while all around him are doing the same. 

Boldin may be a glorified possession receiver, but that's a good fit for what the Jets are trying to do offensively. Boldin will catch anything that comes his way, which should be a great benefit to whatever neophyte is throwing the passes for the Jets, and he'll be able to turn a four-yard toss into an eight-yard gain. That's going to be crucial on an offense that doesn't look like it will be moving down the field in chunks.

It might be tougher to fit Boldin into the salary cap than the offense, though it won't be impossible. The cost in a trade is the biggest unknown, but the 17th pick won't net them a better player than Boldin.

The Jets have gone all-in over the last two years and are still short of the roster they need to play for a title. Boldin would get them closer than anyone else at this point in time.  

Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.

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