Ravens Undrafted Rookie Slade Bolden Shows Potential

UDFA looks solid.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Many draft experts believe the Ravens got another steal when they were able to sign Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden as an undrafted free agent.

Bolden has already flashed in voluntary workouts with his poise at catching the ball as a wideout and on special teams.

He'll compete for a spot on the final roster as a returner but he is also an all-around athlete that can make plays and different spots on the field.

“Slade is another guy that comes in who’s a returner," Ravens special teams coach Chris Horton said. "We’re always looking for returners, and he’s done that. He’s done that at [the University of] Alabama. His job is just going to have to be able to come in here, work and get better, and just try to compete for a job. 

"Just take it one day at a time. We give every guy an opportunity. He’s going to play a lot in these preseason football games. But he’s just got to get better, that’s all.”

Many draft experts believe the Ravens got another steal when they were able to sign Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden as an undrafted free agent.
Many draft experts believe the Ravens got another steal when they were able to sign Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden as an undrafted free agent

Last season at Alabama, Slade recorded 42 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns, He also rushed once from the quarterback spot.

Bolden added 14 punt returns for 99 yards to go with five kickoff returns for a total of 67 yards. He was selected as one of the Alabama coaching staff’s Special Teams Players of the Week for his efforts against Southern Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and New Mexico State. 

His game could translate to the NFL level and he is certainly a player to watch during the training camp. 


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Todd Karpovich
TODD KARPOVICH

Twitter: @toddkarpovich Email: todd.karpovich@gmail.com Skype: todd.karpovich Todd Karpovich has been a contributor for ESPN, Forbes, the Associated Press, Lindy's, and The Baltimore Sun, among other media outlets nationwide. He is the co-author of “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Baltimore Ravens Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box,” “Skipper Supreme: Buck Showalter and the Baltimore Orioles,” and the author of “Manchester United (Europe's Best Soccer Clubs).” Karpovich, a Baltimore native, is a graduate of Calvert Hall College high school, Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, and has a Masters of Science from Towson University.