Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The veteran receiver joins a crowded receiver room in the desert.
On Wednesday evening, the Cardinals bolstered their receiving corps with the addition of former Baltimore Raven Michael Crabtree. This move came several hours following the release of receiver Kevin White, who had not been able to stay healthy.
Crabtree, who turns 32 next month, is still productive for his age. The veteran posted 602 yards receiving a season ago in the incredible run heavy Raven offense. The previous season he posted similar receiving numbers but did haul in eight touchdowns.
This move allows the Cardinals to slow play the development of their three rookie receivers, especially when you consider fourth rounder Hakeem Butler is potentially facing IR due to a broken hand. Outside of Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals receiving corps did not feature the presence of an experienced NFL receiver (outside of return specialist Pharoh Cooper). The team has large expectations for receivers Christian Kirk and Trent Sherfield, however both are entering just their second NFL season.
According to league sources, Crabtree had been particular about what which team to eventually sign with considering the lack of targets he received in Baltimore. The Cardinals figure to field 4-5 receivers at once, which bodes well for Crabtree especially if he is able to develop a rapport with Kyler Murray.
A season ago at Oklahoma, Murray threw for over 4300 yards and had strong contributions from five different receivers (two of which went for over 1,000 yards receiving).
Historically, Crabtree has made his money as a possession receiver who can also be very physical in the run game. Where Crabtree has been known to struggle is with consistently catching the football, sporting a mediocre 59.6% catch rate for his career (54% in 2018). Increased targets in Arizona should aid that percentage, especially in the redzone where he had averaged eight touchdowns from 2015-17.
Speculation will now turn to exactly how many receivers the Cardinals will carry on their active roster. Assuming Hakeem Butler goes on IR, I believe the team would be best served carrying the following seven receivers: Fitzgerald, Kirk, Sherfield, Johnson, Crabtree, Isabella, Cooper.
Pharoh Cooper is likely going to be the final player either kept or cut but I believe he’s too valuable as a return specialist for a team that is historically poor in that area. Isabella, Johnson and Sherfield all figure to have large roles on special teams (coverage units).
The release of Kevin White and the addition of Michael Crabtree likely puts a bow on the receiver room but could we see more additions at positions of need (DT/CB/ILB) over the next two weeks?
Keep an eye on Keim continuing to churn the bottom of the roster looking for potential one year bandaids.
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