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The San Francisco 49ers and Michel Crabtree cannot come to an agreement on a rookie deal for the rookie wide out from Texas Tech. Of course we are quick to judge that this is a problem with a player, or with the team trying to get a quality talent on the cheap, however it may not be quite that simple.
Crabtree was the second WR taken in the 2009 draft NFL draft, behind Darius Heyward-Bey who went 7th overall to Oakland. Bey got a five year deal worth 38.25 million dollars with 23.5 million dollars guaranteed.
Since most draft experts had Crabtree ranked as the best receiver in this draft, Crabtree wants to get paid for that status. The real problem here is there is not a firm market established for WR’s taken in the top ten.
In the 2008 draft no WR was taken in the entire first round. In fact the first WR taken in 2008 was Donnie Avery to St. Louis 33rd overall. He got a four year deal worth 4.8 million dollars and 2.775 guaranteed.
In 2009 the third WR taken, Jeremy Maclin got a 15.5 million dollar five year deal with 9.5 guaranteed. That would seem to put Crabtree’s number at least 20 million dollars with around 15 million dollars guaranteed.
In 2008 10th overall pick, OLB Jerod Mayo, got a five year deal worth 18.9 million dollars, and 13.8 million guaranteed. Since the market for 2009 draft picks is tracking at plus 20% the number here speak for themselves.
It seems that the 49ers and Crabtree are going to have to settle together for a five year deal worth at least 20 million dollars, and 15 of that guaranteed. In this case the numbers do not lie, and even if Crabtree feels he should have been drafted higher, he simply wasn’t.
This is the market, like it or not.
Comments
if crabtree wants big money let him sit out and go after tebow the next year
Let him sit out the year then go undrafted the entire first round in next years draft. I am sick and tired of these ego filled overated picks wanting pro bowl status contracts without having taken one snap in the big leagues. Look how Jamarcus' holdout affected his play. Crabtree: Keep listening to that fool agent of yours and you may loose more than you think. Like your entire pro career. The owners seem ready to make an example of one of you youngsters sooner than later.
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