Michael Crabtree Hoping To Electrify Scouts with 40 To Avoid Slide in Draft

You and I both know that Michael Crabtree is good...really good. That being the case it's an enigma to some to the reasons that Crabtree is going to participate in the 40-yard dash at The Combine.

It is a little known fact, as previously stated, that we know he's good, he should know he's good, and he should know we know he's good. So what good could come from running the dash? Answer: Not Much.

Unless he runs in the 4.3's he's not going to achieve anything that's not already expected from him and that still won't be the quickest of the wide receivers in a very quick wide receiver bunch.

And even if he does run fast that won't make him drafted any higher than the projected fourth pick. But if he runs slow it could raise some questions: Is that his quickest or is it the injury? Is the injury more serious and could it have long term effects?  

Now this may show coaches and scouts that he has a lot of heart and can play through injuries which can give a deep impression. But I just don't think it's worth missing Rookie Camp for it.

So hypothetically speaking let's say he does slide in the draft from where the majority of mock drafts have him going, the Seahawks fourth pick. Looking at the next six teams to pick Cleveland, Cincinnati, Oakland, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and San Francisco, I don't see him slipping out of the top 10.

Cleveland would probably pass, but would be tempted to replace Butterfingers Braylon, although Crabtree sliding to Cleveland would give them a good chip to trade their pick for extra picks. Cincinnati I think would also be tempted but I think the buzz is that the way to rebuild is by getting a premier OT.

Then Oakland may take him to give JaMarcus Russell a weapon since history has shown that Javon Walker is not reliable in terms of staying healthy, and Al Davis would love a play-maker who can sell tickets, but they too are in desperate need of a prime OT and there should be one left on the board.  

Jacksonville could take him to make their receiving corps one of the youngest and best. If not there is no way that Green Bay passes up on him, Driver's not getting any younger, and a star receiver may just be what Rodgers needs to get this team going and bring back the glory days.  

So from my perspective Crabtree falls no more than to the ninth pick to the Green Bay Packers.  Even that may be far fetched since I can't see the likes of Cincinnati, Oakland, or Jacksonville not taking a crack at him or someone trading up to snag him.  

Be it as it may I just don't see how running the 40 will help him, if he runs fast the Seahawks may take him but he'd miss the Rookie Camp, if he doesn't run then the Seahawks would probably take him and he would be better off for the season by attending Rookie Camp.  

If he runs slow I think he slides a bit and also misses the Rookie Camp, and then he'll also give the speculators something to talk about.