Michael Crabtree remains one of the top free agents available on the market this offseason and teams like the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks could be potential landing spots, while a return to the San Francisco 49ers is also a possibility for the wide receiver.
The market was slow to develop for Crabtree after free agency opened, but things have picked up over the past week, with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and 49ers showing interest. According to ESPN.com, Crabtree had a free agent visit with the Dolphins last week and that came after the team previously released Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson this offseason. The Dolphins appear to be a solid fit for Crabtree, as the team has had major changeover at the position and could use some more depth. The Baltimore Ravens, Seahawks and Panthers all have a need at receiver and they also could target Crabtree in free agency.
Last season Crabtree played in all 16 games and had 68 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns for the 49ers. While those numbers were not close to what he did in 2012 (which was his last full season), he was solid for the 49ers and could be a dependable option now as a third or fourth receiver. Crabtree dealt with an ACL injury and played in only five games in 2013 and that followed his career season in 2012 with 85 catches for 1105 yards and nine touchdowns.
Crabtree likely will not be that productive moving forward, but at 27 years old he can still be a solid contributor for a team. According to CSN Bay Area, Crabtree is not in a rush to sign a contract and he is "willing to wait" for an "appealing situation" before signing a deal. Crabtree may end up having to sign a one year deal like what Hakeem Nicks did last season with the Colts.
The Dolphins have Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills along with Rishard Matthews, but they have had changeover with Mike Wallace, Hartline and Gibson all leaving the roster. Adding Crabtree would give the team some depth and it wouldn't stop them from targeting a player like DeVante Parker in the draft in the first round.
Crabtree also could return to the 49ers and that is a bit of an unexpected development, as most around the league did not expect the team to have interest in his return after they signed Torrey Smith. According to ESPN.com, general manager Trent Baalke said that the team would "never say never" about the possibility of bringing back Crabtree this offseason. Crabtree has been reliable for Colin Kaepernick when healthy and he needs to have a bounce back season after struggling last year.
Players like Torrey Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb and Andre Johnson have signed deals and now Crabtree is among the notable players left on the market with Hakeem Nicks, Greg Jennings and Reggie Wayne. The Dolphins are a top option for Crabtree, but it remains to be seen if they will sign anyone or wait until the draft to add another receiver.
