Week 9 at Miami Dolphins
Michael Crabtree has either 80 yards and/or a touchdown in all but one week this season, as he's averaging more than 7 targets per game. The Dolphins are just around league average in our aFPA vs. WR rankings, and the ineptitude that is the Dolphins offense should lead to more snaps for Crabtree and company in Miami. Consider him a low-end WR1 this week.
Week 8 at Buffalo Bills
With Marshawn Lynch suspended this week, the Raiders could opt for a more pass-heavy approach. They are also underdogs in Buffalo, which could mean negative game script and more targets for the wideouts. Plus, Bills cornerback E.J. Gaines is out and Shareece Wright (117.1 passer rating allowed) will play. Crabtree looks like a top-15 WR this week in all formats.
Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Crabtree has been one of the most consistent WRs in 2017, with four games of at least 14 PPR points. The other two games he just simply wasn't healthy. This week, on Thursday night against the Chiefs, he gets a great matchup, as Kansas City is ranked a lowly 30th in our aFPA vs. WR rankings. Consider him a low-end WR1, despite previous struggles against this team, as his target volume remains steady with Amari Cooper struggling.
Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Michael Crabtree proved to be matchup proof and quarterback proof last week, with 80+ yards and a touchdown against a top-10 Ravens defense in our aFPA vs. WR rankings with back-up E.J. Manuel at quarterback. Derek Carr looks like he'll be back this week in an even better matchup against the Chargers. Crabtree is solidly in the WR2 discussion for Week 6.
Week 5 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Michael Crabtree (chest) practiced fully this week. That's the good news. The bad news is Derek Carr is out. The Ravens rank 12th in our aFPA vs. WR rankings, but not having his starting quarterback moves Crabtree down from a borderline WR1 to a FLEX option for Week 5.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Amari Cooper is making fantasy owners pull their hair out again, which is only increasing the fantasy prospects of Michael Crabtree. However, he's playing Denver's elite secondary, a unit he's failed to reach 60 yards against since joining Oakland. More notably, Crabtree hasn't scored a touchdown against Denver either. As crazy as it sounds, he's probably a WR3, at best, this week.
Week 3 at Washington
The Raiders go cross-country, but it's on Sunday Night Football and the west to east trip issues should not be a factor due to the late kickoff. That's evidenced by Vegas assigning an implied team total second to only the Patriots this week for the silver and black. Crabtree re-established his elite red zone target status last week with three scores and now gets a middle-of-the-road Washington secondary to attack. Consider him a top-10 WR option this week, in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Week 2 vs. New York Jets
The Raiders could not have hand-picked an easier home opener against the NFL's version of 'Trust the Process'. The Raiders have the second-highest implied team total in Vegas at 28.5 points. Like Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree should be considered a borderline WR1 this week in all formats, as this appears to be a situation where everyone will have a good day. Crabtree put up 7-102-1 on the Jets in 2015, and his 6-83-0 last week was a solid start.
Week 1 at Tennessee Titans
Michael Crabtree feasted on the Titans' poor secondary last season for 8 receptions and 102 yards. Tennessee is last in our aFPA vs. WRs. Overall, they allowed the most PPR fantasy points to wide receivers last year. Fire up Crabtree as a borderline WR1 option this week. Crabtree was also third in the NFL last season in red zone targets, behind only Jordy Nelson and Amari Cooper.
Fantasy Upside
Michael Crabtree was the WR12 in PPR last season in his second year as an Oakland Raider. He has recorded 85+ catches, 900+ yards, and 8+ touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. He also led the team with 145 targets, top 10 in the NFL. Many of those targets were gold in the red zone, as Crabtree's 21 red zone targets were fifth in the NFL and were 16 more than Amari Cooper. Derek Carr is only improving, and the Raiders didn't add any receivers of significance.
Fantasy Downside
It's hard to find much downside, given Crabtree's production in Oakland, but if the team opts to funnel more targets through the still-developing Amari Cooper, Crabtree's ceiling could be lower. Some regression also might be in order in the red zone after seeing only 13 red zone targets in 2015, and the team added a beast for their goal-line back in the form of Marshawn Lynch.
2017 Bottom Line
Crabtree again provides some value at his mid-fourth round ADP. There are a handful of receivers going in the third round we do not like as much as Crabtree and his lower ADP. He appears to be a high-floor option.
