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Spotlight - WR Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Posted on 7/30, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Cecil Lammey's Thoughts

Michael Crabtree is out to prove that he is the best wide receiver in his draft class. After foot surgery prevented him from working out for teams, Crabtree's draft stock took a hit and he wasn't even the first receiver off the board (as many people expected). Instead, he fell to the #10 spot -- as even the WR-starved Jaguars and Raiders passed on him -- to the San Francisco 49ers. The Jaguars later addressed their need at WR, but the Raiders decided to take Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey instead of Crabtree. Playing across the Bay from his rookie rival should only motivate Crabtree even more in his rookie season.

Crabtree was a sensational WR at Texas Tech, and he's the only wideout in college football history to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award twice. Crabtree has excellent hands and does a good job of snatching the ball out of the air away from his body. After the catch he can make things happen. He is a strong player that can run through arm tackles and he effectively uses a stiff arm to push away smaller cornerbacks. Playing for only two years in the Red Raiders spread attack Crabtree was able to post numbers so big (231 catches -- 3,127 yards -- 41 TDs) that it seemed they were from a video game.

How will Crabtree adjust to the speed of the game in the NFL? Will he refine his game and become the best he can be, or will he be another player that fails to reach his potential? His current ADP is WR 34, but will Crabtree stand out as one of the best in the game? Let's take a closer look at Michael Crabtree's 2009 prospects.

Questions about Michael coming into 2009:

Will he get along with head coach Mike Singletary?
Coach Singletary has already made Crabtree cry when he prevented him from working out with the team, so their relationship has already gotten off to a difficult start. We've already seen how the fiery head coach has handled malcontents like Vernon Davis, and Crabtree may get the same treatment if he doesn't get with the program. If Crabtree is productive then their relationship won't really matter because Singletary knows that he must play his best players.

Can he become a savvy route runner?
Because Crabtree is not the fastest receiver he must become the best route runner he can be. Crabtree can work against press coverage because he uses his hands, size, and initial quickness to get position on defenders at the line of scrimmage. While at Texas Tech he frequently jumped off the line in order to get the advantage, but that sloppy play won't work in the NFL. He knows how to run quick slants and has the suddenness to take the play upfield after securing the catch. When playing on the outside he lacks the speed to beat quick corners. The 49ers will work with him on this, but he will most likely start his career working out of motion so he can get the cleanest release possible.

Will his lack of deep speed hurt his pro game?
Crabtree's lack of deep speed may prevent him from turning 5-yard slant routes into 70-yard touchdown catches, but it shouldn't hurt his pro game that much. While at Texas Tech Crabtree was used outside, in the slot, and even out of the backfield as a receiver and the 49ers know they can use him in a number of different ways. The NFL is all about matchups, so if the team thinks Crabtree can exploit a cornerback outside, they'll line him up there. If a defense has quick cornerbacks they'll use him in motion and out of the slot. Because of Crabtree's tremendous "my ball" mentality he can still consistently come down with the football even if a corner is draped all over him.

Will his ego get in the way of his production?
Like many wide receivers in the NFL, Crabtree is a prima donna -- so the 49ers have to maintain his ego. He is a fierce competitor and wants to be the best in the NFL, and this drive may keep him in line with what he needs to do.

Will below average QB play make hurt his fantasy production?
This is perhaps the biggest question surrounding Michael Crabtree in his rookie season. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill aren't exactly Joe Montana and Steve Young. The good news for Crabtree is that he played in college with a quarterback that couldn't even make it to training camp in the NFL -- Graham Harrell. If the 49ers use their system the right way, then the passing game can be more than adequate. Obviously, an upgrade to the quarterback position would help Crabtree reach his full potential in the NFL.

Positives

• Larry Fitzgerald when the ball is in the air, Anquan Boldin after the catch
• Knows how to use his frame to shield defenders away from the ball
• Fierce competitor who wants the ball in crunch time

Negatives

• Doesn't have deep speed
• Is recovering from foot surgery
• Needs to speed up his release from the line of scrimmage

Final Thoughts

The 49ers could not pass up Crabtree when he fell to them with the #10 pick, and now it's time for him to shine. The facts that he fell in the draft, and wasn't the first receiver off the board, will only motivate Crabtree. He is out to prove that he is not only the best receiver in his draft class, but that his name should be mentioned among the best in the league. Because of his lack of deep speed Crabtree may not be targeted deep, but he can do a lot of damage working the underneath routes. Mike Singletary is the ultimate motivator, and will demand excellence from his standout rookie wide receiver. Singletary should keep Crabtree's ego in check, and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye will know how to use him the right way. Even though Crabtree is not expected to be a starter at the beginning of the regular season, he may break into the starting lineup later in the year. The 49ers quarterbacks will be aware of Crabtree on every play, and thus he could enjoy a solid -- yet unspectacular -- rookie season.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

The Ghost of Bill Walsh:
While I'd like to see Crabtree come out like gangbusters I think his health(foot) is going to hamper the start of his 49er career.The dude ,IMO,has the makings of being an elite stud in the NFL and I'm sure the Niners don't want to take any chances on hindering his progress just to get him in the game.I don't think he'll even play until the 4th or 5th game, spot duty if that much, as they want to make sure he's completely healed.The one thing that bothers me that could keep him from elite status is the QB situation. I'm not convinced Hill or Smith is the long term answer. Neither is Nate Davis with his bad mechanics and learning disability. Not saying they can't be overcome but it's going to hard and he's going to be a project. If the Niners were smart they'd use their 2 first round picks next year and go get the best QB prospect available in the draft. At this point is looks like either Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy. I know, I know, we all see how Alex Smith turned out. Smith was an intelligent QB that didn't transfer into being a smart QB in the NFL. If not they better find a young FA QB somewhere. Hell, Derek Anderson would be better than what we have now. So, there will be no ROY for Crabtree but if they put people around him to help him succeed he'll do just that.

King of the Jungle:
Crabtree is elite at two specific skills: 1) tracking the ball 2) catching the ball. Guys who can do those things extremely well have a high chance at success. I don't understand how you can watch his highlights and criticize his explosiveness. He is not a rocket ship, but neither is he a dump truck.

Truman:
Comparing Crabtree to Calvin Johnson as a prospect would be hilarious unless people weren't actually doing it.

Bigger, stronger, faster. That's pretty much the difference. Both guys are aggressive receivers who use their hands to get open and go get the ball. Crabtree is an outstanding player after the catch. He reads his blockers, can overpower DBs and has an eye for the open field. Calvin will do the same, but with more power. He came from an offense with Reggie Ball throwing strikes, Crabtree came out of Leach's system. I like Crabtree as a player, but not in fantasy this year.

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