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Rookies: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Defensive Backs
In 2009 the football world was shocked when the Oakland Raiders passed on wide receiver Michael Crabtree in order to take receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. The former Maryland star, Heyward-Bey was the fastest player in this past year’s NFL Draft after running a 4.30 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. One of the largest reaches in the past five years of the draft, scouts and executives are still puzzled by the Raiders’ selection.
Last season, Eddie Royal of the Broncos, Donnie Avery of the Rams, and DeSean Jackson of the Eagles all emerged as reliable and consistent options as No. 2 or No. 3 receivers for their respective teams.
This year’s draft offers a large stable of wideouts who could potentially break out during the year. The rookie class this year is very strong with several players being drafted into great situations where they could have an impact quickly. Here is my list of rookie wide receivers that owners should keep an eye out for in drafts this summer.
 Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers
Michael Crabtree enters a situation in San Francisco where the 49ers have lacked a true playmaker at the receiver position since Terrell Owens left for Philadelphia. Crabtree is expected to start slowly as he recovers from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, but will eventually be moved into the starting lineup opposite second-year player Josh Morgan. The only major worry that I have is his health. Michael is going to need to stay healthy in order to be at his best. One other small worry that I have is the fact that the 49ers don’t have stability at the quarterback position. Between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the 49ers’ offense in 2009. I personally feel that Hill would bring more value to Crabtree, but it’s an uncontrollable situation. Crabtree is one of the most explosive players to come out of college football in quite a few years and he's drawn comparisons to the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and the Houston Texans' Andre Johnson. He has outstanding ball skills with the ability to go up and snatch a ball out of the air as well as having the ability to adjust to nearly any ball that is thrown in his direction. He does a great job using his strength to his advantage as he positions himself to make a catch. Crabtree has some of the best hands that I've ever seen is as reliable as they come in the passing game. In keeper leagues, Crabtree has to be one of the top picks, without a doubt. In re-draft leagues, he’d be an intriguing option to take at the end of the draft and stash him away as he gets used to the game.
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