Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All PPR / 12+ Team STD Leagues

OWNED IN: 22% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Michael Crabtree had a dynamite Week 2, torching the Ravens for 111 yards and a score on nine catches. He had a ridiculous 16 targets, which was five more than assumed top receiver Amari Cooper (who still finished with 109 yards and a score on seven receptions). Derek Carr looked fantastic, and if he can continue to improve there might be two fantasy-relevant wide receivers in Oakland for the first time in… maybe ever? I want to say ever.

Oakland ranked fourth in average pass attempts per game in 2014, and they’re in the top five again through two games in 2015. This kind of volume is hard to ignore. With Amari Cooper widely recognized as Derek Carr’s top weapon, there has been room for Crabtree to work with. He is just three seasons removed from a 1,105-yard, nine-touchdown season with the 49ers, and at age 28 he is certainly not on the decline.

I like his chances to become a FLEX option in that offense, particularly with a semi-viable running game for defenses to worry about (courtesy of Latavius Murray). Two games is still a small sample size, but if Derek Carr can manage that kind of production against the Ravens capable defense, this offense might be hidden fantasy gold. I want to own a chunk of it, and Crabtree is well worth a stash.