Michael Crabtree inks one-year contract with Arizona Cardinals

Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a mainstay for the Arizona Cardinals and Christian Kirk projects to be the central option on the other side of the field for Kyler Murray and company. However, depth at the position is a growing concern for the franchise and, as a result, the Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran Michael Crabtree.

The addition of Crabtree coincides with the decision to part ways with former No. 7 overall pick Kevin White and the ongoing injury situation with fourth-round pick Hakeem Butler likely contributed to the franchise's urgency. Crabtree visited with the Cardinals in August before leaving without a contract but, with time passing, the 10-year NFL veteran returned to sign a deal that could provide him with an opportunity for playing time. 

At present, the Cardinals are expected to keep seven wide receivers on the roster for the team's season opener against the Detroit Lions and Crabtree is easily the most experienced option. He will battle with rookies Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson, along with veteran options like Damiere Byrd and Pharoh Cooper.

Crabtree, who shares an alma mater (Texas Tech) with head coach Kliff Kingsbury, caught 54 passes for 607 yards and three touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens last season. Prior to that, the 31-year-old spent three seasons with the Oakland Raiders and, in his decade-long career, Crabtree has generated 633 receptions for 7,477 yards and 54 touchdowns. 

With Arizona in the midst of a rebuilding process, Crabtree likely won't swing the team's chances of winning the Super Bowl this season. However, it can only help Murray to have solid weapons on the outside and, when considering the available options in late August, it is easy to see why a team would land on Crabtree.