Detroit Lions 'in good shape' at wide receiver without Anquan Boldin
Boldin led the Lions with 8 touchdown catches last year, but he appears headed elsewhere in free agency
Dave Birkett
Jim Caldwell hasn't talked to free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin lately, and the Detroit Lions appear ready to move on from their touchdown leader last year.
Boldin, who caught a team-high eight touchdown passes in 2016, remains a free agent with a summer timetable for signing with a team.
But the Lions like what they've seen from rookie third-round pick Kenny Golladay, and Caldwell downplayed the chances of Boldin returning before the end of minicamp Thursday.
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"You never say never," Caldwell said. "Obviously, he contributed quite a bit for us, just not certain at this point in time. I think we’re in good shape where we are right now. I think we have a really good core."
The Lions return starting receivers Golden Tate and Marvin Jones and have used TJ Jones at Boldin's slot receiver spot most of the spring.
Golladay, who topped 1,100 yards receiving in each of his last two seasons at Northern Illinois, has been one of the Lions' most impressive skill players while working primarily with the second-team offense this spring.
Keshawn Martin, Jace Billingsley and Jared Abbrederis, who missed the last two days of minicamp, also are vying for backup receiver spots.
Last year, the Lions signed Boldin on the eve of training camp and got more production than expected from the 36-year-old.
Boldin finished second on the team with 67 catches for 584 yards and played 80% of the Lions' offensive snaps.
He said earlier this spring that he was open to returning to Detroit, though some close to him have suggested he'd prefer to play what could be his final NFL season near his home in Florida.
"He’s still out there, still available, but we haven’t had any discussions with him," Caldwell said.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
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