The Bills are hosting wide receiver Anquan Boldin on a free agent visit, the team announced on Monday.
Free agent WR Anquan Boldin is on a visit with the Bills today.
Details: https://t.co/pIr0AyjbkC pic.twitter.com/XLqEtTeGIM
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) July 24, 2017
Boldin has spent 14 years in the NFL and played for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and last season with the Detroit Lions.
While Boldin's production in terms of yards were the lowest of his career (584 yards) he remained one of the most reliable receivers in the red zone with six of his eight touchdowns coming inside the 20, which ranked tied for ninth among the position.
The six red zone scores is also the second most in Boldin's career and matches the totals he had during the 2013 and 2007 campaigns. The most RZ TDs Boldin had was 10 with Arizona in 2008.
He's had at least three or more red zone touchdowns in eight seasons.
Even approaching 37, the aging receiver could provide toughness on the inside and an added security blanket for Tyrod Taylor, who has had issues throwing over the middle.
Throughout his career Boldin has shown an ability to use his size to his advantage, create separation and make plays. As Pro Football Focus outlined in a week ago, he had the best catch rate among the Lions during the 2016 campaign.
Although statistically the Bills were balanced offensively, inside the 20 is where they struggled last season and became the most conservative -- not a glowing endorsement of faith in the ability of Taylor.
In the red zone Buffalo ran the ball 83 times compared to just 59 passing attempts.
Here is a breakdown of how the targets and touchdowns for the Bills inside the 20:
Charles Clay - 13 targets, 3 TD
Robert Woods - 8 targets, 1 TD
LeSean McCoy - 7 targets, 1 TD
Justin Hunter - 6 targets, 3 TD
Marquise Goodwin - 4 targets, 1 TD
Sammy Watkins - 4 targets, 1 TD
Mike Gillislee - 2 targets, 1 TD
Walt Powell - 2 targets
Reggie Bush - 1 target
Nick O' Leary - 1 target
Greg Salas - 1 target
Taylor was also sacked six times and threw the ball away four times.
Boldin could push Zay Jones and Andre Holmes for the No. 2 receiver position, but it's more than likely he works to secure the slot, where he could be most dangerous.
Having some familiarity with one another from the 2011 season, having Boldin as an added weapon inside the red zone could help elevate the Bills passing game.
