Position: Wide Receiver

School: Texas Tech

Size: 6′1/ 215 lbs.

Combine Results:

(Did not compete)

(Video thanks to Viperhacker)

Michael Crabtree Scouting Report

Known for his  physicality, Michael Crabtree plays like a sledgehammer with legs. Especially physical when the ball is in the air, shows good awareness of the sidelines, uses his body to wall of defenders from the ball. Extremely productive in college (1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last year). Superb hands, very reliable even in clutch situations. Tough, willing to play with minor injuries. Excellent at gaining additional yardage after the catch.

Lacks elite speed, displays poor ball protection, some injury concerns.

Overall, top 10 pick.

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Previous Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

7. Oakland Raiders

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

NFL.com

Al Davis has not used many draft picks on offensive linemen since Robert Gallery (2004).  He tried to get a solid left tackle by signing Kwame Harris away from the 49ers, but that situation just hasn’t been good. The offensive line allowed 39 sacks and recently released LT Kwame Harris allowed 7.5 sacks.

Since the Raiders have used a huge amount of resources on Darren McFadden and JaMarcus Russel, it makes sense to put them behind a solid line. By the 7th pick, I think Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith will be taken, so Michael Oher might be their best bet. After Andre Smith’s fiasco at the combine, Michael Oher moves to being the 3rd best tackle prospect. If Al Davis drafts for need at this pick, Oher would make sense.

Although he has been criticized for lack of intelligence and questionable consistency, he is very good with his feet. Besides the intangibles, Oher is every bit as gifted as the other top tackles. Going into this season, he was in the discussion for the number 1 pick of the draft.

-Michael Crabtree (WR/Texas Tech)

NFL.com

If Seattle passes on Crabtree, Oakland may be their next suitor.  The only reason I don’t think wide receiver is the obvious pick for Oakland is that they seem to be searching for a veteran who can step in immediately and provide Russel with a reliable target that can separate from defenders. I have a feeling that Davis may try to steal a top receiver like Anquan Boldin or Chad Johnson. If that doesn’t happen, then I can see receiver becoming the main target in the draft.

-Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR/Maryland)

NFL.com

Let me say that I don’t advocate picking any receiver this high except Michael Crabtree. But what Al Davis should do and will do often are very different things. With that said, Heyward-bey is hot right now after having an awesome combine. Not many players can run a 4.30 forty yard dash at 6’2. He is not only a straight line receiver, but can move laterally as well. Although not nearly as polished a receiver, Heyward-Bey’s athleticism reminds me of Calvin Johnson.

I’m not too impressed with Jeremy Maclin, and I think it might be too early to grab Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina. So, if Davis decided to make a reach on a wideout, I think he’d gamble on Heyward-Bey.

I thought about B.J Raji too, but the Raiders are paying Tommy Kelly too much to consider that at this point.

Next on the clock: Jacksonville Jaguars

Make sure to vote so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results.

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4. Seattle Seahawks

- Michael Crabtree (WR/Texas Tech)

NFL.com

The Seahawks suffered last year for many reasons. Most noticeably because they couldn’t get the offense going. Matt Hasselbeck was injured for the bulk of the season, and the receiving corps suffered the same fate. Deon Branch is a capable receiver when he is healthy, but Bobby Engram (36 years old) has seen his best days fade into the distance. If new coach Mora decides to go with offense first, I think Michael Crabtree is their man.

Crabtree is a big target who plays even bigger. There are faster players on the field, but few defenders quick enough to cover him can match his power and aggression.  Even though he failed to work out at the combine, his film speaks for itself. The Red Raider receiver racked up 40 touchdowns and 3,000 yards receiving over his two years of playing!

The Seahawks would be glad to have “Crab” since he is one of the very best players in the draft.

-Eugene Monroe (LT/Virginia)

NFL.com

If Crabtree isn’t their man, then Seattle could go one of two ways: left tackle or defensive tackle. The o-line allowed an average number of sacks (36). But the anchor for the past decade, Walter Jones, is 35 years old.

Eugene Monroe could step in and play any position on the line reasonably well, where he could wait in the wings for Jones to retire.  Monroe is very athletically gifted, and is a student of the game.

If Jason Smith hasn’t been chosen by now, he could easily be considered right here. They might even wait until round 2 to select a talented tackle.

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

In an attempt to get bigger on the defensive front, Seattle could look at B.J. Raji from Boston College. I’ve heard how the Seahawks want to hold up better against really physical teams like the Vikings. Selecting a big tackle would help that endeavor. However, the 4-3 defensive scheme that the Seahawks run doesn’t place as high a value on tackles as does the 3-4 defense. In that case, Seattle may look to grab a quality tackle in round 2.

Next on the clock: Cleveland Browns

Make sure to vote so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results.

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It seems impossible to talk about 2009 receivers without starting with Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech). So that is exactly where I will begin!

Michael Crabtree (NFL.com)

Michael Crabtree is a unique player with a very unique skill set. He was a high school quarterback but quickly adapted to the wide receiver position in college. He has been gifted with extraordinary hands, exceptional run power with the ball in his hands, great leaping ability, and a knack for find the soft spots on the field. Furthermore, he was a top 5 heisman candidate as a receiver, which is very difficult to do (just ask Larry Fitzgerald). He does not possess lightning top speed of a guy like Percy Harvin (Florida). And he isn’t nearly the man-child that Calvin Johnson was coming out. But whatever way you slice it, he is going to be a special talent in the NFL for many years.

2-time national champion Percy Harvin may be the best athlete on offense in this draft. He played a hybrid version of tailback or slot receiver in college. Yet, he might fill the Reggie Bush role in the NFL. He is supremely able to turn a screen play into a touchdown. And he is deceptively strong for a guy of his stature. He may drop due to his injury history, but the team that snags him will be getting one heckofa playmaker. His coach Urban Meier said it himself that Percy Harvin is the best player in America….

Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin reminds me of Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami Dolphins). He will a very good kick returner, and has the size and athleticism to be either a slot receiver or wide out. He was super productive in college, albeit against very weak Big 12 passing defenses. He is a bit raw and will probably need a year or so to work on his technique before he is ready to make a large contribution as a receiver.

A couple of sleepers include Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) and Jordan Norwood (Penn St.). I saw these guys in some ESPN challenge before the Super Bowl, and they showed great hands, and powerful running.