Michael Crabtree is the top free agent wide receiver left on the market and this offseason and teams like the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers have shown some interest along with the San Francisco 49ers over players like Greg Jennings and Hakeem Nicks and now Crabtree could be close to signing a deal.
UPDATE: ESPN Reports that Crabtree is likely to sign with the Raiders.
Crabtree has met with the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins this offseason and now reports have interest in the receiver heating up. Things were very slow to start, but Crabtree said to the media that he had no problem waiting for the right deal to come along. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes that the Raiders are interested in Crabtree and that the Dolphins, Ravens and Oakland are the top three teams interested in signing the receiver.
Crabtree was able to stay healthy through the 2014 season after dealing with an ACL injury before the 2013 season and missing time and now he could be in line for a multiyear deal. A one year deal is more likely, as Crabtree is 27-years-old and dealt with some drops last season. Crabtree played in all 16 games and he had a solid season with 68 receptions for 698 yards and four touchdowns.
Crabtree met with the Dolphins first before the Raiders and the two sides could not agree on a contract. The Miami Herald reported that Crabtree was looking for over $4 million for a deal for this season and that the Dolphins offered a deal closer to $3 million. Crabtree turned that deal down, but the report said that the two sides still have mutual interest. The Dolphins traded away Mike Wallace and released Brian Hartline this offseason and could be in the market for Jennings or Crabtree.
The Baltimore Ravens are a team to watch, as they lost Torrey Smith this offseason and could look at adding Crabtree. The team has had success in the past with veteran players like Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin and now Crabtree could be next. According to Pro Football Talk, if Crabtree stays on the market until mid-May, the Ravens will be even more likely to sign him, as that is when new players signed in free agency do not get counted towards how compensatory picks get doled out the next year.
Jennings is also a target for teams and after meeting with the Miami Dolphins, he is set for a meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jennings previously met with the Carolina Panthers earlier in the offseason and after meeting with the Dolphins both sides said that more talks could happen down the road. Jennings spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and was released earlier in the offseason before the team traded for Mike Wallace.
Crabtree had his best season with the 49ers back in 2012, making 85 catches for 1105 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which were career highs. Crabtree is looking to get back to that form and he showed last season that he could stay healthy for a full season. The Raiders need depth art receiver and they have the cap space to sign Crabtree if they want to. The team is reportedly targeting Amari Cooper in the NFL draft.
