Michael

Crabtree

The Sacramento Bee admits Al Davis will need to see Crabtree run a good 40 time, but the third-year sophomore would fit perfectly in Oakland. He has vertical skills the Raiders need to capitalize on JaMarcus Russell’s big arm.

“Yeah, he’s on film, he’s all over the place. He’s a great player,” said Cable. “At the end of the day, it’s about touchdowns and production and ... there’s probably nobody better. Nobody better.” Cable is also drooling over the top four tackles in the draft and referred to Andre Smith as “a dynamite player ... dynamite.”

Lombardi worked in Oakland’s front office for eight years, and says Al Davis needs a forty time to draft any player. The Raiders may feel safer with Jeremy Maclin or Darrius Heyward-Bey.

“Anytime someone gets picked ahead of you, you think about it,” he said. “But at the same time, I’m thinking about the Raiders.” Since Mike Johnson took over as the 49ers’ offensive playcaller, Crabtree has enjoyed back-to-back season-best games. He’s a low-end WR2 play against a Raiders team that was ripped to shreds by San Diego’s passing attack last Sunday.

Crabtree wanted something closer to $4.5 million. With so many big-time receiver prospects in this year’s draft, teams aren’t going to overpay for an underachiever like Crabtree. He’ll visit the Raiders next. If Oakland’s offer is similar to Miami’s, Crabtree would be wise to take the money.

The Raiders whiffed on Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin in free agency, leaving them with James Jones, Andre Holmes and Rod Streater atop the depth chart again. It makes wideout arguably their biggest need. Crabtree isn’t very exciting, but does have sure hands and should come cheaply on a one-year deal. He has to realize by now that he’s not going to get anything more than $3 million.

Crabtree has visited Miami and Oakland, leaving both without a contract. The Ravens could also have him in, perhaps after May 13 when they’d no longer have to give up a compensatory pick to sign him. Crabtree wisely isn’t rushing into a decision as he needs to land in the best spot possible to rebuild his crushed market. The Ravens, currently boasting Steve Smith and a bunch of nobodies at wideout for pass-happy Marc Trestman, have to be intriguing for Crabtree.

The Raiders are in need of receiver help, but they already seem to have a couple slow-footed possession receivers like Crabtree in James Jones and Rod Streater. Oakland needs a bonafide No. 1 wideout with some speed to stretch the field since it doesn’t seem sold on restricted free agent Andre Holmes. Crabtree, initially hoping for $9-10 million annually, should come cheap for $2-3 million.

The move saves the Raiders a tad over $7.7 million against the cap. Most of that will likely go to Jordy Nelson, who is not only older than Crabtree, but also looked more out of gas in 2017. However, GM Reggie McKenzie and new WRs coach Edgar Bennett know Nelson from Green Bay. And that trumps all in the “football guys” world. Crabtree is an elite red-zone force and has vise-grip mitts, even if he had a small bout of drops late last season. Crabtree turns 31 this year but is a tremendous route-runner and should quickly land on his feet.

Crabtree only managed one catch, but he made the most of it. The veteran got a step down the right sideline on the first drive of the game, and Derek Carr hit him in stride for a 41-yard gain. Crabtree will likely take on a smaller role this season as Amari Cooper develops, but he still could return WR3 value in what should be an explosive offense.