With the goofy, but completely Al Davis-esque pick of Darrius Heyward-Bey by the Raiders at #7, and the somewhat surprising pick of Tyson Jackson at #3 by K.C., Texas Tech wide receiver Miachael Crabtree was there when the Niners picked at #10. I know there has already been a lot of spirited debate and dialogue about if this was the right pick for the Niners, or not. Obviously only time will tell. Picking a wide receiver at number one has always been risky business. In the 2008 draft, while a number of them were projected as #1’s, none were selected. In 2006, only one wide out, Santonio Holmes, was a frist round pick. However, in 2007 and 2005 a dozen wide receivers were taken in round one. They are: Calvin Johnson, Ted Ginn Jr., Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Robert Meachem, and Anthony Gonzalez in ‘07, and Braylon Edwards, Troy Williamson, Mike Williams, Matt Jones, Mark Clayton and Roddy White in ‘05. Now of course some of the WR’s were picked higher in those drafts, so expectations were higher. But all in all, if you look at the names, there are not a lot of them that leap off the page as true difference makers. Hopefully the Niners pulled off a coup here, and Crabtree will truly become a difference maker. When you look at his Big 12 highlights one can see the great talent. Great moves, quick on quick, and very good size. But…………….and there always is one, he also played in the most wide open passing offense in the college game, has had lingering injury problems, and apparently has a little bit of a “tude.” All in all Crabtree was not a slam dunk pick to me. Niner GM Scot McCloughan certainly said he was though. Hopefully he’ll be right.
MN
April 26, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I was personally hoping for B J Raji but getting Crabtree at 10 is still a fortunate break for the 49ers (thanks Al). He represents both value and need. From what I have read Crabtree was rated as a top 5 overall player in this year’s draft and the top wide receiver. Compared to the other wide outs you mentioned in your article, only Calvin Johnson and perhaps Braylon Edwards has had as much buzz as Michael Crabtree. He is a two time Biletnikoff Award winner and had an extremely prolific career at Texas Tech. This is a move that will excite the fan base, certainly more that selecting Oher, Maybin or Orakpo. If Crabtree does not live up to the hype the Niners should not be roasted over this pick. As of today, it was the smart choice.