Don’t be quick to jump on Crabtree bandwagon
When first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree finally signed Wednesday with the San Francisco 49ers, the news sent shock waves through the fantasy football community. The add-drop transactions from teams all over the country came fast and furious.
It almost was reminiscent of the pace at which NBA fantasy owners called their commissioners — in an age before computers — to add Michael Jordan when he came out of retirement.
The reasons behind the mass Crabtree pickups rest solely with his potential. The wide receiver is an unknown commodity, and, until he shows he can’t star in the NFL, he’s considered somewhat valuable.
The reality of Crabtree’s contributions on the field and showing off that potential won’t be known for some time. The real uncertainty comes with the 49ers’ ball-control offense and what they like to do.
San Francisco’s starting wideouts, Josh Morgan and Isaac Bruce, have combined for only 22 receptions and have been targeted on only 38 pass attempts through four games, one of the lowest totals in the league for starters. The 49ers’ conservative passing game runs through the center of the field to tight end Vernon Davis, who has 17 catches and has been targeted 27 times.
Even when Crabtree eventually learns the playbook, gets himself into shape and gets into the rotation, it’s likely his contributions will be minimal.
Unless you’re in a keeper league, better receivers capable of helping your team are out there. If you picked up Crabtree already, a good move might be to trade him to someone who thinks he has value before he plays.
Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans and San Diego have bye weeks, meaning some of the NFL’s best offensive players are out.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall should have been gobbled up after his performance Sunday, but it doesn’t hurt to check. Here are other widely available players who could help your roster right away:
• Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Browns: Massaquoi was Matthew Stafford’s favorite target at Georgia, and he has become Derek Anderson’s go-to guy. In Anderson’s first start, Massaquoi was making his second start, and they clicked all day, connecting eight times for 148 yards, even with Braylon Edwards on the field. With Edwards gone to the New York Jets, Massaquoi is the Browns’ No. 1 wideout, and he’s still available in most leagues.
• Jerome Harrison, RB, Browns: It’s tough to throw another Cleveland player out there, but Harrison is starting, and he had a great Week 4 performance with 121 yards rushing and five receptions for 31 yards. Even when Jamal Lewis is healthy, Harrison still might be the guy because of his production. This week he goes against the 27th-ranked Buffalo defense.
• Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings: For the second straight week, Rice caught a touchdown pass from Brett Favre on a slant over the middle. Favre has been playing the conservative role through four games and hasn’t made too many attempts downfield, but expect that to change in the coming weeks as he gets more comfortable with the Minnesota offense. Rice will be one of the major beneficiaries as Favre the gunslinger returns.
The Houston-Arizona game has the highest total (50) of the week, according to Nevada sports books, but you should be starting all the key players from those teams anyway.
The game with some fringe players that could see big numbers put up by both sides is Indianapolis-Tennessee on Sunday night, with a listed total of 45.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning likely will control the pace with another 300-yard game against the Titans’ 22nd-ranked defense, meaning wideout Pierre Garcon again will be part of the attack and a good player to start.
Indianapolis rookie running back Donald Brown has been pushing Joseph Addai all season and has looked better at times than the starter. At some point, Addai will go down and Brown will be the feature back, and without having to split carries he could be a fantasy monster in that offense. Brown is worth trading for now while his value is low and might be worth a start this week depending on the running back depth on your roster.
As for the 0-4 Titans, Nate Washington and Kenny Britt each caught seven passes last week. Both wideouts still are available in most leagues and should put up good numbers against the Colts.
Micah Roberts is a Las Vegas-based writer who will contribute weekly fantasy football outlooks for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.