However, the Oakland Raiders went sifting through the scratch-and-dent bin Monday, and the result may wind up being one of the better values of free agency with Michael Crabtree, who spent the first six years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.
ESPN reported it's a one-year, $3 million deal, with $2 million in incentives.
It's the conclusion of a tumultuous few weeks for the former top-10 pick. After all, not too long ago, Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported the market for Crabtree's services had "crashed," in no small part due to his contract demands.
Well, Crabtree liked what he heard across the Bay, and it's hard not to like this signing for the Raiders.
Yes, Crabtree's numbers have been way down since he exploded for over 1,100 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the 49ers' NFC Championship season in 2012.
In fact, he hasn't had that many receiving yards (or touchdowns) in the two seasons since, and last year's mark of 10.3 yards per catch was a career low for the former Biletnikoff Award winner.
Among 110 qualifying wide receivers at Pro Football Focus in 2014, Crabtree checked in at a robust 95th.
However, it's not as if there was no explanation for that drop-off in production. Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon in the spring of 2013 and wound up missing 11 games that year. He then got healthy just in time to watch quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco passing game implode last season.
To be frank, if the Raiders are chasing after Crabtree circa 2012, they're going to be disappointed. The foot problems that have plagued him dating all the way back to his time with the Red Raiders ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
