Michael Crabtree vs. Jeremy Maclin: Which Receiver Will Be Better in 2009?

The month of May always brings questions as training camp inches closer.

How will the rookies adapt to their new locker room and facilities?

Will there be any quarterback controversy around the league?

We always find some sort of way to make an observation about the upcoming rookies, and to see whether they'll make a quick impact or be a late bloomer.

This year's draft had one of the better wide receiver classes we have seen come out of the draft, six of them being taken in the first round.

As usual, the draft always has its surprises, and this year was no different with Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin.

Crabtree, who was originally thought going no later then the Raiders at number seven, dropped all the way to the 10th pick in the draft to the San Francisco 49ers.

Maclin, who was originally thought of as going at the seventh pick to the Raiders, or the eight pick to the Jaguars, had the biggest fall, as he dropped to the 19th pick and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.

There are a few similarities both Crabtree and Maclin have.

They both played in the Big 12 Conference, under somewhat similar styles of offenses, which includes the shotgun quarterbacks in Graham Harrel and Chase Daniel.

Crabtree, who was the most dominant wide receiver in college football the past two seasons, is known for his strong physical ability, in relation to Texans Andre Johnson.

On the other hand, Jeremy Maclin is known for his speed and his play-making skills, and is valued more over Percy Harvin for having better disciplinary qualities and more durability.

Crabtree heads to a 49ers offense that has quarterback controversy for the last five seasons, while Maclin heads to the Eagles offense, where he'll be a big target alongside Desean Jackson.

The question now arises of who will make a bigger impact in their rookie season, Crabtree or Maclin?

The 49ers don't have the greatest amount of options on the offensive side.

Frank Gore has been a big disappointment since his breakout season just a few years ago. Vernon Davis, the highly talented tight end from Maryland, hasn't proven the expectations, and got on the bad side of head coach Michael Singletary.

Michael Crabtree is going to have a major role in the offense entering the season, being the most talented receiver on their roster and will be a main target.

The question leading up to the draft is how his speed will transition to the pros. Can he be able to get past the speedy secondaries of the NFL?

Jeremy Maclin is in a different situation than Crabtree.

We all know the success the Eagles have had in the past. It is certainly known of the Eagles to come up short multiple times, due to the lack of a number one wideout they have been looking for.

Just a few years ago, the Eagles did take Desean Jackson from California. Questions have come up of him not developing into a top five receiver in the likes of Randy Moss and Terrel Owens.

Is Jeremy Maclin any different?

The focus of the offense for years has been Brian Westbrook. This has caught up to Brian, who has been sidelined many times due to nagging injuries.

With the loss of tight end L.J. Smith, McNabb is going to be looking for his young wide receivers to make the big plays.

Crabtree and Maclin have this in common as well: Young, but talented rookie wide receivers who are going to be expected to make a big impact within the offenses.

There are also some advantages and disadvantages that both of the receivers have.

From Maclin's perspective, he already has the NFL speed, and will be able to handle the corner backs of the NFL without an issues?

What he lacks? It is his size. Because of the speed he is going to get double covered if he does get off to a hot start, and it is not in his favor to jump up and snag a reception between two or even three corners.

Crabtree does have great physical attributes for him to succeed in that way. Even though he is not as tall as Plaxico Burress, he does have some pretty solid height and can leap up to make the grab just like he did in college.

However, Crabtree lacks a bit of speed, which is vital to his development.

Not that his minor foot surgery is an issue, but Crabtree will need the speed to find passes down the field for long yardage.

In a tough debate that could go either way, I will take Jeremy Maclin.

The wide receivers are going to have a lot of chances to make an impact, but there is a little less pressure on Maclin in the Eagles offense than Crabtree in the 49ers offense.

Surrounding Maclin is a Pro-Bowl type quarterback, a dominant playmaker in Westbrook, another target in Jackson, as well as a veteran offensive line that have a few solid years left in the tank.

Maclin will not be the only vocal part of the offense, which in his favor, will open up one-on-one coverage.

Michael Crabtree, on the one side, is in an offense with a quarterback issue, a running back who has tailed off, alongside Vernon Davis who hasn't proved just yet he will play at a Pro Bowl level.

You never want to put too much pressure on rookie players who will be considered a number one target. In Crabtree's case, the odds may be a bit much to handle.

It must be said, though, that it is too early to judge their entire career just on opinion, but it will sure be a good thing to get off to a good start for your career, especially a wide receiver who is going to have to fill big shoes right away in the NFL.

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Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com.