Michael Crabtree had high expectations coming into the league and was drafted to be a number one wide receiver. He has had high success in this league but really hasn't spent much of his career in that role. He usually has played the role as a number two or number three receiver, and although he has done it well, he really hasn't ever been known as a locker room leader.
When he signed a three year, $21 million with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, the expectations were clear. Not only would he need be a top receiver for the Ravens, he would also have to be their locker room leader.
“I don't have a choice,” Crabtree said per Nick Shook of NFL.com. “I'm going on 10 [years] in the game, and all these guys are three-, four-, first-year guys. That's just my role. At the same time, I'm out there competing like I'm 21, so I'm going to have fun with it.”
This is a Ravens young receiver core, with the next most tenured receiver being John Brown. He has played in the league for four years, but this is his first year in the purple and black. Brown's best year was in 2015 with the Arizona Cardinals where he had 1003 receiving yards.
After two terrific years with the Oakland Raiders, Crabtree's production fell off last season as he had just 58 catches for 618 yards. The Ravens will be hoping that apart from his experience and leadership, he can also get back to being the 1,000-yard receiver and consistent touchdown producer that he's been over the last couple of years.
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