Michael Crabtree was one of the top free agents left on the market for NFL teams looking for help at the wide receiver position. While it took some time for him to find a new team, he has finally managed to do so.
According to a report from Pro Football Talk, the Arizona Cardinals agreed to sign Crabtree for the 2019 season.
Signing Crabtree was a big move to bolster the Cardinals' offense. They already have Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and rookies Hakeem Butler and Andy Isabella. Crabtree will slide right in and have a chance to play a major role and possibly start this year to help out rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.
Last season with the Baltimore Ravens, Crabtree put together a solid year. He ended up catching 54 passes for 607 yards and three touchdowns. The numbers aren't huge, but he was consistent and is still more than capable of making an impact on a game.
Arizona is entering a new era under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury. They are expected to have a dynamic offense and adding more talent at the wide receiver position makes perfect sense. The playoffs may be a bit ambitious, but they are primed to take a big step forward from where they have been.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at three bold predictions for Crabtree with his new team.
3. He Is An Immediate Week 1 Starter
Kingsbury is going to field the best team he possibly can. Crabtree may have to compete with some young receivers for a starting job, but he will end up being a starter come Week 1. Fitzgerald, Kirk, and Crabtree are going to be a dangerous trio for Murray.
Even though Crabtree never became the “superstar” that many thought he would become when he first entered the league, the Cardinals are getting a veteran presence that they desperately needed. He has shown consistent hands and has been a very good possession receiver throughout his career. Arizona doesn't need him to be a deep threat, but they need him to be a sure-handed security blanket for their rookie quarterback.
2. Crabtree Ends Up Catching Over 75 Passes
Next up, there are some who thought Crabtree was washed up and wouldn't be worth signing. He waited a long time for a team to come calling with a contract offer. Despite some teams not believing he had much left, he is going to prove everyone wrong with a big season.
Crabtree will end up catching over 75 passes on the season in Arizona. Murray is going to have the football in his hands a lot and Crabtree is going to end up being one of his most trusted targets. He will put himself back on the map with a big and consistent season.
1. The End Zone Sees Him at Least Eight Times
Getting into the end zone was not something that happened much for Crabtree last season. He only scored three touchdowns, but his track record shows that he knows how to find the end zone.
Arizona is going to have a pass-heavy offense, as we have already mentioned. Crabtree is going to be the kind of target that thrives in the red zone with Kingsbury. Catching at least eight touchdowns is a bold, yet reasonable goal for the veteran wide receiver.
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