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In the NFL, sometimes you have a first-round draft pick that is an instant sensation no matter what team he plays for, like Adrian Peterson was for the Minnesota Vikings. There are also times when a first round draft pick is a complete dud like Ryan Leaf. In those other occasions, you have a first round draft pick that is not very good at first, however, when he gets the right quarterback, the right offensive scheme, the right coach, and the right situation, that player final blooms into the pick that everyone thought he would become.
This is exactly the case for the San Francisco 49ers top wide receiver Michael Crabtree. After a great 2012 season, every fantasy owner expected Crabtree to be a top-tier wide receiver in all fantasy football formats. When the 49ers inserted Colin Kaepernick to be their quarterback, the sky was the limit for Crabtree. However, a terrible injury to Crabtree in the offseason ended any hopes for fantasy owners to have him in their plans for the season.
If you are a fantasy owner and you are looking for some ideas for next season, without a doubt, Crabtree has to be at the top of your list.
In case you missed his NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Crabtree showed why he should be taking high next season in every fantasy football draft. In this game, Crabtree had eight receptions for 125 yards. He should have easily had a touchdown or two in this game, but dropped them. In the terrible conditions at Lambeau Field, Crabtree still played like a top-tier player.
For many fantasy football managers, they wonder why it is important to watch playoff football for ideas for next season. Many times, it is the heroes of the playoffs that are the stars of the next fantasy football season.
If that is true, then Crabtree will make Colin Kaepernick a bigger fantasy football star for everyone of their owners that take them next season.
Dom DeCarlo is a Fantasy blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him @DomDecarlo1, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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