Carolina Panthers: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens walks on to the field for the Ravens first drive during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. WR Michael Crabtree (Released by Baltimore Ravens)

Once upon a time, wide receiver Michael Crabtree was the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. In six seasons with a team that would reach three straight NFC title games from 2011-13, one of those a win that sent the Niners to Super Bowl XLVII in 2012, he hauled in a total of 347 passes for 4,327 yards and 26 scores.

In 2015, it was off to the other team in the Bay Area as Crabtree joined the Oakland Raiders. In three years with the Silver and Black and playing opposite Amari Cooper, he was highly productive — amassing an impressive 232 receptions for 2,543 yards and 25 touchdowns.

But with the arrival of head coach Jon Gruden last offseason, he was released by the team and wound up latching on with the Baltimore Ravens. While he was a 16-game starter for John Harbaugh’s squad, he finished with only 54 catches for 607 yards and three touchdowns. In the playoff loss to the Chargers, he hauled in both of Lamar Jackson’s scoring passes that day.

Still, the Ravens gave him his walking papers. For a Panthers’ team that has struggled to find wide receiver help the last few years and a team that could lose Devin Funchess to free agency, the 10-year pro could be a nice addition.

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