The Oakland Raiders brought in Michael Crabtree on a one-year deal this offseason to add depth at wide receiver and now Crabtree will stick around for a while, as reports have Crabtree agreeing to a contract extension with the team. According to NFL.com, Crabtree and the Raiders have agreed on a four-year deal worth $35 million.
The Raiders signed Crabtree to on a one-year "prove it" contract in the offseason and the wide receiver proved his worth to the team, as he has put up strong numbers this season. Crabtree has 66 catches for 760 yards and seven touchdowns this season and he has surpassed his numbers from last year in receiving yards and TDs and should pass his receptions from 2014 very soon. Adam Schefter at ESPN reports that the deal has $19 million guaranteed for Crabtree.
Crabtree has delivered this season for the Raiders, as he leads the team in receptions, touchdowns and targets and has combined to give the team two solid WRs with Amari Cooper. Derek Carr has had a great season in his second year and one of the reasons he has been so productive has been the play of Crabtree. The Raiders have lacked a true number one wideout option the past few years and now the team has two players that have put up strong numbers.
Carr had three interceptions last week in a tough game against the Chiefs, but this season he has 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes. The completion percentage and touchdown numbers are better than last season and soon Carr will surpass his passing yardage numbers as well. Carr and the Raiders are coming into this week against the Broncos and that will be a tough test after dealing with the Chiefs.
Brock Osweiler will be starting again for the Broncos and the team is looking to keep itself in position near the top of the AFC with a win. The Raiders are on the outside of the playoff race right now, but head coach Jack Del Rio said he thinks his team could make a run at a wild card spot. The team would have to pull the upset this week and that will be tough after losing four of the last five games.
Cooper and Murray will be key players in the game and Cooper is coming in after putting up solid numbers, but he also had some crucial drops against the Chiefs. Cooper had four catches for 69 yards last week and has 62 catches for 920 yards this season and he will be looking to bounce back against the Broncos. Murray has been very solid in his first year starting and he come sin with 851 rushing yards while averaging a strong 4.3 yards per carry.