Michael Crabtree Week 10 vs. Saints
Another sorry game from Michael Crabtree (5-40) has people wondering if he's ever going to have value again. If he is, it's going to be this week or bust. New Orleans pass defense has been shoddy versus opposing wideouts, and the 49ers are going to have to throw the ball. Take a shot on Crabtree as a No. 3 receiver this week and keep your fingers crossed.
Michael Crabtree Week 9 vs. Rams
Maybe the bye week will have given Michael Crabtree a chance to remind Colin Kaepernick that he's still part of this team. Crabtree did score in the previous meeting with St. Louis, though he only had three catches for 49 yards. He should be better now, especially since Vernon Davis should be healthy again and drawing some coverage.
Michael Crabtree Week 7 vs. Broncos
Michael Crabtree had three receptions for 49 yards last week but did get into the end zone to save what would have been a third-straight disappointing game. Denver has given up just three touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season, so don't count on Crabtree scoring again. He should be OK in standard and PPR leagues at a low-end No. 3 receiver as the 49ers are going to have to throw to keep up.
Michael Crabtree Week 6 vs. Rams
Michael Crabtree is dealing with a foot problem that has limited his participation the past two weeks. He's playing through it, but managed just one catch for 16 yards last week on four targets. He's not on the injury report this week, so there's that. And the last time he got so little action - in Week 1 - he followed it up with a healthy 7-82-1 line. The foot injury is troublesome however. If you have to use Crabtree this week, do it as a No. 3 and hope for the best.
Michael Crabtree Week 5 vs. Chiefs
After back-to-back efforts with 80-plus yards, Michael Crabtree had five receptions for just 43 yards last week. Kansas City has allowed one touchdown catch to opposing wideouts each week, but has been pretty solid overall. Crabtree is on pace for 128 targets this season, so he should continue to be a solid No. 2 wide receiver option, including this week.
Michael Crabtree Week 4 vs. Eagles
Michael Crabtree managed 80 yards for the second consecutive week and added 10 receptions and a score to boot. He has a juicy matchup this week with the Eagles, who have already allowed four TD passes to opposing wideouts. Crabtree was added to the injury report Thursday with a quad injury, but it doesn't appear as if it's anything serious. Let him rip this week.
Michael Crabtree Week 3 vs. Cardinals
As expected, after being ignored in Week 1, Michael Crabtree was a big part of the offense in Week 2, catching seven passes for 82 yards and a score last week. With Vernon Davis hurting, you can expect more of the same this week. It's much easier to throw on Arizona than it is to run against the Cardinals. Use Crabtree as a No. 2 receiver.
Michael Crabtree Week 2 vs Bears
Michael Crabtree had just two receptions for 25 yards last week, as the 49ers put the ball in the air just 23 times. But fellow wideout Anquan Boldin finished with eight receptions for 99 yards. Look for things to equal out a little more this week with Crabtree getting a few more looks. The 49ers might not put the ball in the air a lot again this week against a soft Chicago run defense, but Crabtree should bounce back.
Michael Crabtree Week 1 vs Cowboys
Michael Crabtree is dealing with a calf injury that had him sitting out practice on Wednesday and limited on Thursday. Check his status later in the week to make sure he's ready to go. If he's able to play against Dallas, he could have a big week with borderline No. 1 receiver stats against a terrible defense.
Fantasy Upside
In the 18 games with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback Crabtree has played in over the past two seasons, he’s averaged five receptions for 76 yards and has scored nine touchdowns. If Crabtree can do that over the course of a season, he’d be a solid No. 2 fantasy receiver, possibly even a No. 1.
Fantasy Downside
Crabtree’s injury history is beginning to become troubling. He has appeared in all 16 games just twice in his five-year career. The 49ers also rely heavily on their running game, which hurts his value, as does playing in the NFC West, where he’ll face Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson twice each.
Bottom Line
Crabtree, as usual, was banged up in training camp this year. As previously mentioned, the offense doesn’t exactly pitch the ball all over the yard, either. But, when healthy, Crabtree is solid. Remember, he had 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine scores in 2012, the last time he played a full season. And that came without Anquan Boldin starting on the opposite side of him. He’s going in the fourth or fifth round in most drafts, which is likely due to the aforementioned factors. But he could outperform his draft ranking.
