The Oakland Raiders have signed Michael Crabtree to a free agent deal and now that the draft is just a few weeks away, names like Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Dante Fowler, Leonard Williams, Jaelen Strong and DeVante Parker could be potential targets of the team, as the Raiders want to add weapons for Derek Carr in year two.
The Raiders have the fourth overall pick in the first round this year and after signing Michael Crabtree, they could look at adding another receiver to the mix. Bill Williamson at ESPN.com reported earlier in the offseason that the team would look at bringing in a veteran and now they have signed Crabtree. Adam Schefter reports that the deal is worth $3 million and has more money in incentives for the wideout.
The Raiders are in position to take a top wide receiver in the draft and Williamson writes that Cooper or White likely will be the pick. Cooper had a monster season with Alabama with 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns and he is considered the top receiver by many scouts. White put up a faster 40-yard dash time and he comes in after making 109 catches for over 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns for West Virginia.
The Raiders also may consider Fowler or Williams if they are still on the board, but both those players have met with teams ahead of Oakland. Williams is considered to be the best defensive player and Fowler said to the media he would be "shocked" to get past the Jaguars at number three.
According to CBS Sports, the Raiders could consider trading out of the top five this offseason, as the Miami Dolphins are interested in moving up. Miami has been one of the most active teams this offseason and they could continue that into the draft. The Dolphins and Raiders have traded this high before, as the two teams did it a few years ago with Dion Jordan in the top five.
The Dolphins reportedly are interested in trading up to take a receiver like White or Cooper, while Pro Football Talk reports they could try and target Dante Fowler or Leonard Williams if they are still on the board. The website writes that a wide receiver is the more likely option, as the team traded away Mike Wallace and they want more weapons for Ryan Tannehill. The Raiders may look at this deep WR class and trade down and take someone like DeVante Parker or Strong over Cooper/White.
The Raiders hope that Crabtree can be a productive third or fourth receiver after he was one of the top players for the 49ers a couple years ago. Crabtree dealt with an ACL injury into the 2013 season and last year he was able to stay healthy through all 16 games. Crabtree had 68 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns with the 49ers and that was a drop-off from his best season in 2012. Crabtree put up career highs with 85 catches for 1105 yards and nine touchdowns that season.
