The Baltimore Ravens had gaping holes in their wide receiver corps in 2017. In the opening week of free agency, they made moves to fill those gaps by signing former Oakland Raiders wideout Michael Crabtree to a three-year contract worth $21 million. Crabtree joins former Arizona Cardinals receiver John Brown as the latest free-agent receiver signed to the Ravens in the same week. The nine-year deep threat is the clear No. 1 option for Ravens quarterbak Joe Flacco heading into the 2018 season.
Ravens get new top fantasy receiver in Michael Crabtree
Crabtree signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Ravens Friday. We look at the fantasy implications.
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Crabtree is joining the third team in his career. He spent the last three seasons in Oakland where he had 232 receptions for 2,543 yards and 25 touchdowns. The former first-rounder had down year last season due to injury. He had over 1,000 receiving yards in 2016, however. Crabtree also caught at least eight touchdowns each season with the Raiders.
Fantasy impact: Crabtree is going to a Ravens’ system that favors the run. That does not hurt his fantasy value one bit, however. Crabtree is going to be the No. 1 receiver in Baltimore and is likely to get more targets with the lack of depth the Ravens have at receiver. Lastly, the 30-year-old should make fantasy owners very happy this season with a high number of touchdown receptions. Crabtree is a good pick in the third or fourth round, and a steal anytime after that.
