Michael Crabtree Would Be A Bad Fit For The Oakland Raiders
By Kevin Saito
Well – he’s not Randall Cobb or Jeremy Maclin, but at least Michael Crabtree is perhaps something of an upgrade over Denarius Moore? Maybe? Though, that isn’t something the Oakland Raiders should be too terribly anxious to find out.
Having taken a run at both Cobb and Maclin – and coming up empty on both fronts – the Raiders still need some warm bodies in their receiving group. In a move that has some of the Raider fan base excited, some less than excited, and some just shaking their heads, Oakland will play host to the former San Francisco 49ers wideout early next week.
After a highly decorated college career at Texas Tech, Crabtree was taken with the tenth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. It’s almost hard to remember that he was once thought of as a potential big star in the league, given the fact that Crabtree hasn’t exactly excelled as a pro.
In six seasons in the NFL, Crabtree has topped 1,000 yards just once. Worse than the lack of production on the field though, is the lengthy history Crabtree has of being a diva and a bad teammate. Sod bad is his reputation, that his rookie contract contained what was referred to as a “diva clause,” tying a portion of his salary to his behavior while representing the 49ers.
Having let Moore walk, and Andre Holmes‘ future in Oakland uncertain at this point, the Raiders are left with James Jones, Rod Streater, Brice Butler, and Kenbrell Thompkins in their receiving group. And given HC Jack Del Rio and OC Bill Musgrave‘s stated intentions to incorporate certain elements of Chip Kelly’s up tempo offense, it stands to reason that Oakland will be looking to add some more weapons for second year QB Derek Carr to work with.
Some of those concerns will be addressed in the upcoming draft. The question though, is whether or not they opt to use the fourth overall pick on Amari Cooper or Kevin White, or wait until the later rounds to add some receiving depth. But that’s a debate for another time.
Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball against Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second quarter at Levi
Even if the Raiders do decide to pick up Cooper or White in the first round, they will likely want to add another veteran receiver to fill out the rotation, provide some much needed depth, as well as provide some experience and mentoring for the youngsters.
While the need for veteran leadership is understandable, and even warranted, Michael Crabtree would be a terrible fit – and even worse, a potentially horrible distraction – for this young Oakland team.
2015 is a pivotal year for the Raiders. Perhaps one of the biggest in the organization’s history. Not only are they looking to put more than a decade of losing behind them once and for all, they have a stadium situation that is in flux at the moment. The last thing they need is a player making headlines for all the wrong reasons – like being an outspoken diva and terrible teammate. And there is widespread consensus around the league that Crabtree is just that.
Yup. Bad rep. RT @JohnMiddlekauff I have not talked to 1 person in the league that had a positive thing to say about Crabtree as a teammate.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) April 3, 2015
Why on earth would Del Rio and Reggie McKenzie want to put somebody like Crabtree, somebody that nobody has a good word for, on the roster with Carr, Mack, and the young stars who make up the core for this Oakland team? It’s especially difficult to figure when the Raiders finally have some things working for them, and look like a team on the rise.
The need for chemistry in the locker room can’t be overstated. Just ask the Chicago Bears what a lack of respect and chemistry did for their team last season. The San Francisco Giants didn’t start becoming the dynastic force in baseball they are right now until the locker room cancer that was Barry Bonds, retired.
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And of course, the potential attitude problem is not the only thing the the Raiders would have to consider when it comes to Crabtree. Surgery for an ACL tear wiped out all but five games of his 2013 season, and upon his return last year, many remarked that he lacked the explosiveness that had made him a dangerous receiver.
Whether it was the injury that had robbed him of his speed and explosiveness, not fitting into San Francisco’s system, or just a general backwards step by the the 49ers offense as a whole last season, Crabtree didn’t put up terrific numbers in 2014. He caught 68 balls for 698 yards, and four touchdowns. But it’s yards per reception that took the sharpest decline at 10.3 ypc – by far, the lowest of his career.
Crabtree has overplayed his hand this offseason and a market for him never materialized. He believes his value far exceeds what some teams are willing to pay for his services. Crabtree is reportedly seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of $4.5 million a season. Not even the receiver needy Dolphins were reportedly willing to go above $3 million.
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There is a general sense among some that the Raiders need Crabtree. They don’t. While they have more than enough money left to pay him the overinflated value he places on himself, it would be money not well spent. He’s not a home run hitter, he’s not going to stretch the field, and doesn’t seem to be anything more than a rotational guy at this point. And they already have plenty of those.
Yes, Oakland needs a receiver. But Michael Crabtree is not that receiver. Not for the declining production, lack of explosiveness, and potential attitude problems and locker room schisms that he brings to the table. The Raiders would do better to bring in fresh, young talent through the draft, be it Cooper, White, or somebody in in the later rounds.
While McKenzie and company are likely just doing their due diligence, as are many other teams in the league, they would be wise to avoid bringing in somebody like Crabtree. The negatives – and potential for even more negatives – far outweigh the possible positive return on investment.