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Oakland Raiders: Which Receiver Steps Up Behind Amari Cooper?

By Dan Fappiano

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Michael Crabtree

May 19, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree (15) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The new guy on the block has actually been in the league for six years. He has played all six with the team across the Bay, the San Francisco 49ers. For the 2015-16 season he changes out of the red and gold and into the black and silver, looking to revitalize a once promising career.

After being drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Crabtree has not lived up to his billed hype. He has a career 4,327 receiving yards with 26 TD’s and a 12.5 yards per reception margin. If you were to average that out, Crabtree would be putting up about 721 yards per season with about 4 TD’s per year.

Those numbers aren’t too bad, but for a guy drafted to be a number one receiver, they’re considered to be quite mediocre.

Those numbers do however look pleasing for a team not counting on Crabtree to be their number one guy.

When the Raiders signed Crabtree to a one year, 3 million dollar deal, it was assumed that itl was a “prove-it” type deal. Meaning that Crabtree had to prove that he is still an elite WR and deserves a big pay day. The Raiders know that the deal does not really hurt the team in the long run because if Crabtree fails, they’re off the hook for 2016.

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    • Crabtree has had sparks throughout his career. In 2012 he caught 85 balls for 1,105 yards and nine TD’s. The Raiders are hoping they’re getting the 2012 Crabtree in signing him.

    Crabtree is 28 years old, which may seem young, but in NFL time he is already considered past his prime. He is a veteran presence on a very young Raiders receiving corps, and needs to be a role model for the younger receivers through his play. He will need to prove that he is still a capable receiver behind Cooper, and prove that the Raiders made a good investment in signing him.

    While Crabtree wasn’t signed to be the number one guy, the Raiders are hoping he can flash some of that skill that got him drafted 10th overall.

    Next: Rod Streater

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