The Oakland Raiders have met with Michael Crabtree this offseason and he could be a free agent option along with Reggie Wayne, Greg Jennings, Hakeem Nicks or West Welker and this comes as the team may target Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Breshad Perriman and Philip Dorsett in the NFL draft as potential options for Derek Carr.
The Raiders have the fourth overall pick in the draft this year and the team is not expected to trade out of the pick. Reggie McKenzie has been doing a solid job in the draft over the past few years with Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Latavius Murray and Mychal Rivera emerging as solid picks and now he gets to add another top selection. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com, the Raiders are interested in adding a playmaker on offense and they likely will select Amari Cooper or Kevin White at number four.
The Raiders have met with Michael Crabtree this offseason and the team is interested in adding veteran depth at wide receiver. Bill Williamson at ESPN.com writes that even if the team drafts a receiver early, they likely will look at adding another player in free agency. The team met with Crabtree last week and reports have Welker meeting with the Dolphins. Jennings has met with the Dolphins and Panthers and he has also had interest from the Raiders.
Last season the team got a good year from James Jones, but Carr needs more weapons and with Denarius Moore gone, the position needs some depth. Crabtree is coming off of a solid season with the Niners and Williamson writes that the two teams may "need" each other, as Crabtree has not been able to find a landing spot yet and the Raiders need some depth.
The Miami Herald reported that Crabtree is seeking over $4 million on a deal and the Dolphins were only willing to go to about $2 million. The Raiders have the space to sign Crabtree if they want to. Jennings spent two seasons with the Vikings before being released and he met with the Miami Dolphins last week, but left without a contract. Welker has not had much attention on the market and he met with the Dolphins this week and could be a cheap option on the market for the Raiders.
The draft class at wide receiver is very deep this year and if the team misses out on Cooper or White or passes on them, players like Breshad Perriman, Philip Dorsett, Jaelen Strong, Justin Hardy, Dorial Green-Beckham and Nelson Agholor. Perriman and Dorsett each put up great 40-times and the Raiders have often put a priority on speed.
Cooper and White are the main options and they are both coming off of monster seasons. Cooper had 124 catches for over 1700 yards with Alabama, while Kevin White added 10 touchdowns on 109 catches for West Virginia. Cooper may go to the Jaguars at number three and if that happens, expect the Raiders to consider White or a possible trade down.
