Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Detroit Lions: Top Five Free Agent Wide Receivers they should Consider

By Bob Heyrman

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Detroit Lions
(Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

The first player, the Detroit Lions, should consider bringing in is veteran Michael Crabtree.  The 31-year old isn’t the same player he once was, but he’s still a flexible third/fourth option for a good offense.

In Detroit, Crabtree would likely be a fifth option barring another injury to a skilled position.  The Lions, have Marvin Jones and Golladay as the one-two punch down the field.  The team is expected to use plenty of two-tight end sets allowing rookie T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James loads of targets.  The team will also use Danny Amendola across the middle often.

Crabtree would be an effective, reasonably cheap, insurance policy to both outside receivers.  He can work out of the slot but prefers working outside.  The former 10th overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers never lived up to his draft position but was a capable number one receiver catching 85 balls, scoring 9 TD on the Super Bowl-bound 49ers in 2012. He also caught 67% of his targets that season; by far the best season of his career.

Crabtree did eclipse the 1000-yard mark again in 2016 with the dysfunctional Oakland Raiders. Mike has been very durable of late only missing two games over his last five seasons. Over the previous two years, his numbers have considerably dipped.  His final year in Oakland he recorded 8 touchdowns but only amassed 618 yards on 58 catches.

Last year as a member of the Baltimore Ravens he amassed 607 yards on 54 catches.  His catch rate dipped to a mere 54%–the worst of his career.  Perhaps rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson is some to blame for this?  He isn’t considered an accurate passer, but dynamic with his legs.

Crabtree recently worked out with the Arizona Cardinals, and by all accounts, the work out went very well.  The problem is, Crabtree felt the Cards provided a low-ball offer coming in around 2.5-million on a one-year deal.  He was expecting a Danny Amendola like deal worth approximately 4.5 or 5-million.

The Detroit Lions should strongly consider bringing in the veteran to add roster security replacing Jermaine Kearse.

Home/Detroit Lions