LestersLegends.com

Written by Eric Stashin of www.rotoprofessor.com

Michael Crabtree sits atop many people’s 2010 breakout candidate lists, and with good reason.  Despite not yet playing in a preseason game due to a neck strain (though he has returned to practice) and playing in just 11 games in his rookie campaign due to a holdout, there is no doubting his talent.

Last season he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and 2 TD, only twice having as few as three receptions (and never having more then six).  He was consistent, and that came despite questionable quarterback play and no preseason to get a rapport with his teammates.

While he has missed time during camp this year, he already has worked with Alex Smith.  The two know each other and now just need to get their timing back on track.  It doesn’t take four preseason games to do that.

The team has also improved the talent on the offensive side of the ball.  Added are Ted Ginn, Jr. and Brian Westbrook, not to mention Vernon Davis’ 2009 breakout.  Throw in a healthy Frank Gore, and the 49ers actually produce matchup issues for opposing defenses.

We’ve discussed Smith as a potential sleeper in the past (click here to view), and the former first overall pick is finally showing signs of living up to his draft position.  In three preseason games he has gone 21-37, completing nearly 57% of his passes.  All he needs to do is distribute the ball around the field and put his teammates in position to make plays.

At 6′1″, 214 lbs., Crabtree is a big target with the potential to make big plays.  No receiver had more then 22 catches of 20+ yards last season.  Despite his limited playing time and receptions, he had 10, the same number as Anquan Boldin.  Just imagine what he has the potential to do now that he is fully immersed in the offense?

The sky is truly the limit, and as a WR2, he is a great get.  He currently has an ADP of 43.3 according to Mock Draft Central, the fourteenth receiver coming off the board.  While that’s slightly higher then I have him (16th on the most recent rankings, which you can view by clicking here), he is still a terrific pick.  By year’s end, he has the opportunity to emerge as a WR1 in all formats.

What are your thoughts on Crabtree?  Do you think he’ll live up to the hype?  Or do you expect him to be a fantasy bust?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s 2010 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

   

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

For the first time in a long time the 49ers enter the year with quality fantasy options at RB, WR, and TE. They also have a good chance to win the division.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Very Favorable
The Niners open the fantasy playoffs against Seattle at home. They play the Chargers in San Diego Week 15 and finish up against the Rams on the road. Frank Gore owners have to be licking their chops.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Frank Gore – Aside from the cushy fantasy playoffs schedule, the Niners invested two first round picks in RT Anthony Davis and LG Mike Iupati. Gore is a talented RB that can get it done on the ground and through the air. As long as he stays healthy, the sky is the limit.

Vernon Davis – I am a little skeptical that he can perform near the level he did last year, but any time a TE catches 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 TDs, you have to take note. He’s a freakish athlete that has finally figured things out. If he stays healthy, another big year should be in order.

Four Star Fantasy Options
Michael Crabtree – In 11 games Crabtree caught 48 passes for 625 yards and 2 TDs. He was remarkable consistent catching between 3-6 passes every game. With a full training camp and preseason, Crabtree has plenty of room to grow.

Niners Defense/Special Teams – I love the Niners D for the fantasy playoffs. Also along the way they face Seattle (Weeks 1, 14), Kansas City (3), Oakland (5), St. Louis (10, 16), and Tampa (11). Ted Ginn, Jr.’s arrival should bolster their return game.

Three Star Fantasy Options
Alex Smith – His leash probably isn’t as long as other starters, but as long as he produces he should keep his grip on the starting job. With increased confidence and a variety of talent on offense, Smith makes for a solid QB2.

Josh Morgan – Morgan has the potential to join the long line of third-year WRs to breakout. He has the size and speed to do it, but he’s fourth in pecking order after Gore, Davis, and Crabtree.

Two Star Fantasy Options
Ted Ginn, Jr. – Maybe a change of scenery is all Ginn, Jr. needs. I’m not holding my breath that he’ll improve his hands since by switching coasts, but the potential is there for him to be a solid slot receiver.

One Star Fantasy Options
Glen Coffee/Anthony Dixon – Neither of these players are fantasy worthy unless Frank Gore goes down. Of the two I like Coffee’s chances better.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

It must be Wide Receiver Day in the NFL as a pair of disgruntled WRs are in the news.  First up is Diva Rookie Michael Crabtree.  San Francisco’s 3-1 start and 35-0 drubbing of St. Louis must have made Crabtree realize that the Niners were doing fine without him, and weren’t going to be the first one to blink.  Now that he has missed so much time, it is unlikely that Crabtree will make much of an impact, especially on a team that relies on the running game and defense.  It is good news to those fantasy owners who took a chance on him, and especially to those in dynasty leagues who intend to have him as part of their long-term plan.

In other news, Braylon Edwards punched his ticket out of Cleveland (pun intended).  He is heading to the Jets for Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, and a couple of draft picks.  Edwards fantasy value takes a jump as he’ll likely be more motivated escaping the misery of Cleveland.  Stuckey could see a slight bump in value, but the real bump should go to last week’s breakout player Mohamed Massaquoi, who had a great rapport with Derek Anderson last week in a loss to Cincinnati.

As far as the QBs go, Mark Sanchez takes a step forward by adding a big play threat, assuming his drops and attitude don’t get in the way.  I don’t see much change from Derek Anderson as Braylon’s heart wasn’t in it.  He didn’t even catch a pass last week.

I continue my NFL Draft review with a look at the WRs drafted in the first three rounds.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers - I love the pick for the 49ers, but I wish Crabtree was paired with a better QB.  Nate Davis could eventually make his way up the depth charts.  Until then Crabtree will just have to make due.  I think he’ll still be one of the best Rookie WRs this year.

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles – I love this pick by the Eagles and I love Maclin’s prospects this year.  In fact, I think Maclin will be the most productive Rookie WR.  He gives McNabb another young, talented target.  With Maclin, DeSean Jackson, Westbrook, and McCoy, McNabb has more weapons than in recent years.  I expect big things from the Birds in 2009.

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings – He has a ton of talent.  He’ll make a big impact and change the dynamic of the Viking Offense.  I’m just afraid he’ll miss a couple games to injury.  When he’s healthy he’ll make explosive plays. 

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants - Nicks will make an impact right away for the G-Men, just not a major one.  The Giants have a lot of young talent at WR so he’ll have to earn his way onto the field.  He may be fantasy worthy next year.

Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans - Britt will get a chance to play as the Titans are hurting for WRs, but I’m not sure how much impact a Rookie WR on a run first team will make.  I love him long-term though.

Brian Robiskie & Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland Browns - The Browns need WRs in the worst way.  They did not trade Braylon Edwards as rumored, but they clearly aren’t happy with him.  Donte Stallworth could be going to jail, and in the very least will be suspended by the league.  To me Robiskie makes more of an immediate impact and could earn the #2 WR role.  Massaquoi will take a little longer to develop.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Michael Crabtree put together one of the finest two-year stretches in NCAA history.  As a Freshman at Texas Tech he caught an amazing 134 passes for 1962 yards and 22 TDs.  Last year he grabbed 97 passes for 1165 yards and 19 TDs.  He caught at least a TD pass in 21 of 26 games with 13 multiple TD games.  He had 100+ yards in 15 games.  He is the only player to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award as a Freshman.  He actually won it both years.

Crabtree has good size at 6’2″, 215 Lbs.  A stress fracture in his foot kept him from showing his speed at the combine and his Pro Day, but he hasn’t slid down too many draft boards.  Speed isn’t everything.  Crabtree has displayed the necessary skills to be a successful receiver.  NFLDraftScout.com’s Frank Cooney sums it up best by saying “Crabtree understands the nuances that most players take years to hone. His combination of abilities and instincts is shocking and reminiscent of Larry Fitzgerald — including start-stop, body control, hand-eye coordination, positioning, aggressive run-after-catch and some that defy description. And all this talent comes in a wide receiver who has a great team attitude. He may not impress with his clock time in 40 yards. But neither did Fitzgerald or Jerry Rice.”  Talk about high praise.

If I had to guess where Crabtree would end up, I’d say Cleveland at this point.  Braylon Edwards appears to be on his way out and Donte Stallworth could miss time to suspenson/jail time.

I am mostly concerned with the skill positions (QB, RB, WR) when it comes to the NFL Draft because those are the players that will help your 2009 fantasy football rosters.  Here is my first look at the early declarers.

Running Backs
Glen Coffee, Alabama
6’1″, 198 Lbs.
1383 yards, 10 TDs

Coffee made a great leap in production in his Junior year averaging a robust 5.9 yards per carry.  He had five 100 yard games, including 218 against Kentucky.  Did not have a good showing on the ground in the Sugar Bowl (13 carries for 36 yards), but he had his most produtive contribution in the passing game (4 catches for 40 yards, TD).  Not a speedy back (4.53), he’ll likely fall into the 5th round or so.  He’d probably be better off returning to school.

Wide Receiver
Austin Collie, BYU
6’2″, 206 Lbs.
2008:  106 catches for 1538 yards, 15 TDs

Collie made great strides in his Junior year nearly doubling his Sophomore production.  He finished his career with a string of eleven straight 100 yard games.  He has six multiple TD in 2008.  Collie will have to improve his speed (4.56) to improve is draft stock.  He’ll likely go anywhere from the 2nd to the 4th round depending on that improvement.

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
6’3″, 214 Lbs.
2008:  97 catches for 1165 yards, 19 TDs

How amazing is it that a 97 yards catch, 19 TD season could be looked as disappointing?  In 2007 though, Crabtree had 134 catches for 1962 yards, and 22 TDs.  Nobody is going to label the two-time Biletnikoff Award Winner a disappointment though.  Crabtree caught a TD pass in 21 of 25 games, including seven games with three and thirteen multiple TD games.  His speed (4.54) needs to improve, but there is little chance he isn’t an early first round pick.  He’ll likely be the first wideout taken.  Matt Millen is scheming to get in an NFL Front Office so he can be the one to make the pick.

Jeremy Machlin, Missouri
6’1″, 200 Lbs.
2008:  102 catches for 1260 yards, 9 TDs, 40 carries for 293 yards, 2 TDs

Machlin is very versatile rushing for 668 yards with 4 TDs in his two years with Missouri.  He wasn’t a bad receiver either catching 182 passes for 2315 yards and 22 TDs.  He went over 100 yards seven times last year.  Machlin possess incredible speed (4.38) that should propel him into the first round on this year’s draft.  He’ll be an instant boost to any teams return game, and depending on the situation could be a factor in the passing game right away.  

Previous Profiles
QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
RB Shonn Green, Iowa
RB P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
WR Hakeem Nicks,  North Carolina