ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Ravens are the front-runners to land receiver Anquan Boldin, although Baltimore beat writer Aaron Wilson writes that the Patriots are the front-runners.

From Rotoworld.com:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Ravens are the front-runners to land Anquan Boldin while Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson calls the Patriots the favorites.

The Chiefs also in the mix. It’s funny that two Baltimore reports have the Pats as the favorites, possibly to drive up the price on the Ravens. If the cost is still a third-rounder, Boldin is a no-brainer. His next team has him under contract cheaply for the 2010 season with a year to work out a contract. If no deal can be reached, the cost was still just a third-rounder for one season of a possible difference-maker.

The Cardinals did well by setting the asking price for Boldin at a third round pick. Getting multiple teams to bid against each other for the next month will only drive up Boldin’s trade value before the draft, which is when teams will really get desperate.

If it requires throwing in another pick, Ozzie Newsome might want to sweeten his offer (whatever it may be) to ensure Boldin winds up in Baltimore next season. A No. 1 receiver is essentially the last piece of the puzzle for the Ravens’ offense and Boldin would do wonders for Joe Flacco in the passing game.