8. Michael Crabtree
2015 was an important season for Michael Crabtree after signing a “prove it” deal with the Oakland Raiders after the free agency market was not kind to Crabtree. The league deciding to pass on giving the veteran a big contract after a disappointing contract year with the 49ers.
Crabtree’s decision to take a one-year deal and head to the other side of the Bay paid off as linking up with quarterback Derek Carr helped to turn back the clock for Crabtree. Crabtree posting his best numbers since his career-best 2012 season, finishing with just under 1,000 yards catching and nine touchdowns to earn an extension to stay in Oakland longterm.
The chemistry that Crabtree has with Carr gives the Raiders a dangerous aerial attack headlined by the receiver duo of the veteran Crabtree and the younger Amari Cooper. Proving the 49ers and the rest of the NFL wrong, Crabtree has shed the diva tag and is now considered as a dependable veteran that could provide the experience needed to take the Raiders as far as he helped carry San Francisco when the Niners went to the Super Bowl.
– Chase Ruttig