Just two games into his new career with the Raiders, wide receiver Michael Crabtree looks like one of the team’s best offseason pickups.
The former 49ers receiver – who fell out of favor in San Francisco after six seasons – has 14 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in games against the Bengals and Ravens, and is coming off a huge game in which he caught nine passes for 111 yards and a key TD in a 37-33 comeback victory over Baltimore.
The tandem of rookie Amari Cooper and Crabtree – who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Oakland – is giving quarterback Derek Cooper a dynamic receiving duo that has made the Raiders offense significantly more dangerous in 2015.
Bill Williamson, who covers the Raiders for ESPN.com, notes Crabtree is on pace to catch 112 passes, which would be far above his career high of 85 in 2012. If he continues to be a big-play receiver this season, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie may want to soon begin negotiations to keep Crabtree on board in 2016 and beyond.
Crabtree recently told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that he feels “blessed” to get a fresh start in Oakland and loves his new team and teammates.
“I like the guys around me and I would do anything for them, on or off the field,” he said. “We’re going to have fun.”
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio certainly had fun watching Crabtree make multiple big plays against the Ravens, and expects more of the same this Sunday when Oakland (1-1) travels to Cleveland to take on the Browns (10 a.m.)
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Del Rio says Crabtree has been a terrific addition to the offense, not only as a receiver but as a blocker and leader with an unselfish attitude.
“Michael Crabtree had a phenomenal game,” Del Rio said this week after the Ravens victory. “It’s not just catching the ball. He made some unbelievable catches in clutch situations, but his unselfishness, the way he blocked on the perimeter. Just really, really terrific on his part. The unselfish part is what I really appreciate, where he’s doing the extra blocking, doing some of the dirty work. Obviously some of those conversions on third down were huge.”
