Week 3 vs. Carolina Panthers
Michael Crabtree caught two balls for 13 yards last week against the Ravens on three targets. It was a quiet homecoming for the veteran who spent last season in Baltimore, but he did play 32% of the team’s offensive snaps, challenging rookie KeeSean Johnson for playing time. Even if he passes the rookie though, the highest he could climb is third on the depth chart with Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk firmly entrenched as starters. Barring injuries to the starters, Crabtree should be left on waivers in all league formats.
Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions
Michael Crabtree is coming off a down year with Baltimore, catching only 54 balls for 607 yards and three touchdowns. He struggled in Oakland the year before, and he may be on his way out of the league at 31 years old. However, the Cardinals brought him in while they had plenty of options at the position, so it’s possible he’ll be given a chance to earn a prominent role in what could be a very pass-happy offense under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Crabtree is too risky to trust right now but keep an eye on where the targets go in Arizona, as someone is likely to emerge opposite Larry Fitzgerald.
Wildcard Round vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Michael Crabtree led the Ravens in targets this season with 100, but he only had 54 catches, 607 yards and three touchdowns to show for it. Crabtree did most of his damage before Lamar Jackson took over seven games ago, and he’s averaged only 1.9 receptions per game over that span. Against a Chargers defense that held him to one catch two weeks ago and has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this year, there’s no reason to bank on Crabtree to produce in the playoffs.
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Michael Crabtree is getting targets, but it’s just not yielding results. He’s averaging 8.4 targets per game this season, but only 4.6 receptions and 52.4 receiving yards. Crabtree’s also scored only two touchdowns as a Raven. Baltimore will need more production out of him to snap their three-game losing streak.
This week, Crabtree will face a Bengals defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season and was torched by the Saints a week ago. Crabtree is still risky, particularly with the potential for Lamar Jackson to get his first NFL start, due to his lack of production in an inconsistent offense, but he has a little upside in a nice matchup for desperate fantasy owners looking for a low-end WR3.
Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Crabtree and the rest of the Ravens offense struggled last week against the Panthers. He caught only three passes for 31 yards, and his five targets were his lowest this season. Crabtree has been a steady double-digit PPR performer this year, albeit with a very low ceiling each week, but losing targets to Willie Snead wasn’t a good sign.
This week, Crabtree should get his target share back against a vulnerable Steelers secondary. Pittsburgh has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, including 11 touchdown receptions. Look for Crabtree to rebound in targets, with a decent chance at scoring, making him a solid WR3 option this week.
Week 8 at Carolina Panthers
Michael Crabtree only gained 66 yards last week against the Saints, but he was targeted a team-high nine times. Crabtree is leading the team with 64 targets this season, giving him a high-floor in PPR formats. He just also has a low-season, as a touchdown-dependent receiver with only two touchdowns this season.
This week, Crabtree will face a Panthers defense that has been very average against the pass this year, allowing 81 receptions but only five touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Expect another day with five or six catches, a decent shot at a touchdown, and a low ceiling for the veteran. He’s a fringe WR2/WR3 option, better used in PPR formats.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints
Michael Crabtree had a good game against the Titans last week. He finally parlayed his 9.2 targets per game into quality production, catching six balls for 93 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Crabtree should continue to be heavily targeted, although in an inconsistent Ravens offense, he’s a risky week-to-week starter.
This should be a good game for him however. No team is allowing more fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this year than the Saints, and the New Orleans offense should keep the Ravens throwing the ball. Crabtree has low-end WR2 potential in a great matchup this week.
Week 6 at Tennessee Titans
The good news is Michael Crabtree is coming off his highest yardage total of the season against the Browns on Sunday. The bad news is that yardage total was only 65. Crabtree has received double-digit targets in three-of-five games this year, but he just isn’t producing a lot. He’s only scored one touchdown despite his history of red zone production, and that makes it hard to trust him week-to-week.
This week, Crabtree should continue to get looks, giving him a high floor in PPR formats, but the matchup isn’t great. While all six passing touchdowns allowed by the Titans have been to the wide receiver position, six touchdowns throw the air has them tied for the third-least in the league so far this year. Crabtree should only be considered as a low-end WR3 option in deep, PPR formats.
Week 5 at Cleveland Browns
Michael Crabtree has struggled so far this season. Even though he’s been targeted an average of 8.5 times per game, he’s yet to eclipse 61 yards and has only scored one touchdown. Additionally, Crabtree is being outshined by fellow free agent acquisition John Brown, making it hard to think he’ll rebound from his subpar numbers.
This week, Crabtree faces a Browns defense that allowed four touchdown passes and 437 passing yards to Derek Carr last week. While there’s some upside with him, he’s risky against a young, emerging secondary. Crabtree should get some targets and has low-end WR3 value in PPR formats, but ultimately he hasn’t shown enough to warrant serious fantasy consideration this week.
Week 4 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Crabtree hasn’t put up big numbers yet this season, but he leads the Ravens in targets, including 10 in each of the past two weeks. Crabtree caught seven balls for 61 yards against the Broncos last week, and he remains the most physical receiver in Baltimore's offense.
This week, Crabtree has a ton of upside against a struggling Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers are tied with the Saints for the most touchdown passes allowed in the league this year, and they lack consistency in their defensive backfield. Crabtree has some WR3 potential this week in all league formats, with a good chance of finding the end zone.
