1. The Baltimore Ravens trade Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers
The Ravens made one of the better trades in team history when they sent a third and a fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for star wide receiver Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round pick.
Finally, after years of searching, the Ravens had found their No. 1 receiver. Boldin was a fan favorite in Baltimore who put together three excellent seasons with the Ravens, helping them win their second Super Bowl.
But just a few weeks after helping lead the team to a Lombardi Trophy, the Ravens sent Boldin packing to San Francisco in exchange for a measly sixth-round pick.
The move was a salary dump after Boldin declined a $2 million pay cut from his $6 million salary. The veteran wideout proved that his best football was still ahead of him becoming a featured part of San Francisco’s offense.
Boldin finished with consecutive 1,000-yards seasons at age 33 and 34 while the Ravens’ offense floundered without their top wideout.
What did the Ravens do with that sixth-round pick? They packaged it in a trade-up for notorious draft bust Arthur Brown who played just 34 games in Baltimore without making a single start.
While the Ravens’ trade to acquire Boldin ranks among the best swaps in team history, their decision to send him packing just a few years later might just be their worst.