Will 49ers use Crabtree as slot receiver?

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Thursday, June 25, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The San Francisco 49ers invested the 10th overall pick in April's NFL draft on wideout Michael Crabtree, but Mike Singletary and company won’t rush him into action. The 49ers have several other young options at the position with more experience and Crabtree could be used primarily as a slot receiver during his rookie campaign.

There are several positives regarding the use of Crabtree in the slot, especially given his experience in the spread offense at Texas Tech. Crabtree was targeted regularly on short passes and receiver screens, something the 49er faithful could become much more accustomed to during the upcoming season. Crabtree thrived in that role during his college career and it would open up another dimension to San Francisco’s offense.

While many expected Crabtree to immediately be penciled in as a starter, that may put unnecessary pressure on the incoming rookie. The 49ers already have veterans Isaac Bruce and Brandon Jones in addition to a handful of promising young wideouts. Josh Morgan, Jason Hill and Arnaz Battle will all contribute in the passing game, further supporting Crabtree as he transitions to the NFL level.

Another benefit of this scenario would be the tremendous security blanket Crabtree would be to the 49ers’ quarterbacks. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill are still battling it out for the staring spot under center and having Crabtree in the slot would be a welcome addition. There are still some concerns about Crabtree’s downfield speed and he could ultimately develop into more of a possession receiver over the course of his career.

While the majority of this year’s top drafts picks will be hurried onto the field, Crabtree may be given a chance to ease into his new role. Furthermore, it will allow him to be featured on select plays and formations, rather than being a full-time starter on the perimeter. While the move might not be a big hit initially, it could lead to better results as Crabtree’s career in the Bay Area progresses.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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