This writer fails to recall when the wide receiver position was filled with so much drama. What happened to the days of Art Monk and Wayne “Green Lantern” Chrebet? Catch the ball and shut up. You’re not a linebacker who tries to end lives every play. Use your hands for the reception, evade defenders, pick up yardage, and hope to score.  Alas, the National Football League has turned into somewhat of a soap opera. Enter Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin...

Brandon Marshall has been arrested more times than anyone should in a given lifetime. The charges range from disorderly conduct to driving under the influence of alcohol. On top of that, Brandon enjoys taking trips through entertainment systems. I’m sure the Denver Broncos’ training staff was thrilled to hear that Brandon severed nerves, tendons, and muscles in an appendage that is crucial to his position.  Marshall has since been given the nickname “Baby T.O.” and rightfully so.
 

The turmoil which follows in the wake of Anquan Boldin is not due to illegal acts. That’s the main difference between these two prominent wideouts. Rather, Boldin feels that he has been underpaid for several years and desires a new contract from the Arizona Cardinals. His production has always been on par that of Larry Fitzgerald, yet the two contracts are vastly different. According to USA Today, Fitzgerald made a combined salary of $17.1M in 2008. Boldin earned a meager $2.5M. Trade talks have escalated as contract negotiations have broken down. That’s never good for a team or a player’s production.

REDRAFT CONSIDERATIONS:

Marshall will be carrying last year’s fantasy value going into the 2009 season. That’s a problem. The loss of Jay Cutler was a severe hit to the Denver offense whether their front office would like to admit it or not. Of all fantasy positions, wide receiver is the most dependant on another skill position. That position being quarterback. Shipping Cutler to Chicago will have a drastic effect on Marshall’s fantasy value. I fear that many fantasy owners will look at his past two seasons, see the fantastic numbers, and overpay for him on draft day. He should be drafted as a low-end No. 1 receiver or an elite No. 2 receiver.  And I'm betting he still goes in the top 8 the majority of the time this year.
 

Boldin, on the other hand, will have the same supporting cast. This is assuming he stays in Arizona. You can expect this phenom to at least match his total of 265.6 fantasy points from 2008. Chances are he will surpass that. Remember that Boldin sat out four games after fracturing a sinus cavity and several facial bones. Using the power of mathematics, Boldin’s stat line would have been 118.6 receptions, 1384 yards, and 14.6 touchdowns had he played the full season. That’s downright freakish. I would be able to sleep soundly at night with Anquan as my No. 1 fantasy receiver.

KEEPER/DYNASTY CONSIDERATIONS:

There is no doubt that Brandon Marshall has the physical talent to be an utterly dominant wide receiver for the next decade. The question is: does he want it? His behavioral issues are cause for concern. As fantasy owners we tend to overlook non-football related complications, unless of course they lead to a suspension. Marshall has already broken that threshold and I can assure you he’s found his way onto Roger Goodell’s black list. Off the field antics can sometimes end a career. Just ask Tank Johnson or Adam Jones.

Boldin will turn 29 on October 3, 2009. He is four years senior to Brandon Marshall. That's no small factor.  Additionally, Kurt Warner can only play football for so long. Waiting in the wings is the inexperienced Matt Leinart with confidence shattered. The fantasy impact of Cardinals' wide receivers could diminish greatly once Warner decides to retire or leave Arizona. Boldin could also find his way onto another team. Needless to say, his future is clouded.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

At this point in time Boldin is the superior receiver. He crosses the goal line more often and has a better foundation to work from. That may not be the case in three or four years. The future of Boldin’s career is quite volatile. Comparatively, Marshall has pushed through many problems in his life and may yet come around. His future in the NFL has more promise if he decides to stop being a delinquent and grow up.

REDRAFT EDGE: Boldin

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KEEPER/DYNASTY EDGE: Marshall

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