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Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 wide receivers in franchise history

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures towards Anquan Boldin #81 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens won 34-31. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures towards Anquan Boldin #81 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens won 34-31. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Anquan Boldin

If you ask most fans, Boldin would probably be their number one wide receiver for the Ravens. Ranking Boldin anything lower than number two would be insanity. Much like Jamal Lewis and Ray Rice were basically the 1A and 1B running backs in franchise history, the Ravens have two top receivers almost completely even in merit.

Boldin was one of the biggest reasons the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII. In that majestic playoff run from Flacco, Boldin was his favorite target. Like Flacco had one of the most historic playoff performances of all time at the quarterback position, Boldin was playing on an untouchable level. He had 22 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns in the four game stretch that gave Baltimore the Lombardi Trophy.

Boldin never had a 1,000 yard receiving season with the Ravens but he had a huge impact. He averaged 62 catches per season for the Ravens and he scored 14 touchdowns. He was the go to target for Joe Flacco and he was the biggest reason Flacco’s game elevated from his first couple seasons in the league. Boldin gave Flacco a receiver that he trusted. All Flacco had to do was throw the ball up and Boldin would leap up and make the play. In terms of toughness, and winning the 50/50 balls the Ravens will probably never see a receiver better than Boldin.

Boldin brought an edge to the Ravens that was necessary to win the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. Boldin was one of the most exciting play-makers in the history of the franchise. He never had breakaway speed but what he did have was the great body control, strong hands and the ability to win in tight coverage. When Boldin had the football, he was a hard man to bring down. He energized M&T Bank Stadium the same way that players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed did. When you say “Play like a Raven” it means play like Boldin.

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