In 2007, Calvin Johnson was hailed as arguably the best wide receiver to ever come out of college when the Lions took him with the second overall pick. While Michael Crabtree was not given accolades quite as highly, he was praised up and down by draft analysts from the end of his season at Georgia Tech until draft day. He may have been given even more positive reviews had he been able to run at the Combine. Luckily for the 49ers the stress fracture he was diagnosed with (and the Raiders’ idiotic move to draft Darrius Heyward-Bey seventh overall) allowed Crabtree to slip into San Francisco’s hands at number 10. I am not saying this was a bad move, because in all honesty it was a dream scenario for the Niners, but as fantasy owners (except for those of you in keeper leagues) we are worried about the here and now. And right now is not the time to be sold on Crabtree.

The rookie receiving class of 2008 shocked, dazzled, and awed football fanatics as DeSean Jackson, Eddie Royal, and Donnie Avery all put up pretty decent numbers as third options for fantasy owners. Many times it is easier for receivers to fit into a system compared to rookie quarterbacks and runningbacks, but let’s get one thing straight, it’s not the norm for receivers to come in and make huge impacts like the aforementioned players did.

Jackson was playing in a pass-heavy offense in Philadelphia where Donovan McNabb has been the leader for 10 years now. Royal lined up with a gunslinger in Jay Cutler heaving him the ball when Brandon Marshall was being double-teamed. And Avery did well for himself with a battered and bruised Marc Bulger. It is important as fantasy owners to not get too wrapped up in how much these guys may have helped us last year and project numbers for Crabtree based on their performances, especially when the quarterback situation in San Francisco is nowhere close to being similar to those in Philadelphia, Denver, and St. Louis. In fact, it is as unsettled as it has been since Jeff Garcia left town.

Despite a recent report from Pro Football Talk that states how well the team (particularly quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Alex Smith) is adjusting to new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s system, it is imperative that we remember that receivers are only as good as the guy throwing them the ball. I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting too excited for Crabtree’s potential with either of those two guys under center. Granted, it doesn’t help that this is the 49ers’ seventh offensive coordinator in seven years, but that just tells me that it might be another long year for the team and Crabtree might suffer because of it.

I do not mean to diminish Crabtree’s skills as a wide receiver and by no means do I think he is going to be the next Charles Rogers/Peter Warrick-esque bust. His 6’2” 215 pound frame combined with his unnatural speed will surely make him a star in this league as time goes on. I’m just not sure that he’s worth the gamble as San Francisco slowly rebuilds. Ask me again in 2010 and I might tell you that I think he’s ready for a breakout year. I just don’t think that he is worth the risk right now with Hill and/or Smith leading the team.

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