And as for that price, well, all it takes a simple game of elimination to remove the vast majority of the league's teams and reveal just how small the potential trade market for Boldin would have been from Baltimore's perspective. It's safe to assume that the Ravens wouldn't want to deal Boldin to a team they had on the schedule during 2013, so it's right to rule out the AFC East, NFC North, the other teams in the AFC North, and the Broncos and Texans. That's half the league right there. Most of the remaining teams are either bad enough that Boldin would probably retire before going there (Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, Titans), capped out with massive holes elsewhere on the roster (Chargers, Redskins, Panthers), or already set at wide receiver (Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Saints). The Colts have a similar, arguably better player already on the roster in Reggie Wayne. The Buccaneers just signed Vincent Jackson to a mammoth deal, and the Chiefs did the same with Dwayne Bowe. That leaves two teams: the 49ers and the Seahawks, one of whom had just spent a first-round pick to acquire a wide receiver hours earlier. Where was the market for Boldin supposed to come from? San Francisco might have been Baltimore's only palatable trade option for Boldin, and it's likely that their sixth-round pick was the best offer available.
