Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that there’s “every expectation” that receiver Michael Crabtree will re-enter the draft in 2010.
FOX’s Jay Glazer reports that there are mixed indications regarding Crabtree. Some say he’ll sit out, others indicate that he’s getting himself ready to play.
The key is Week 10. After that, Crabtree can’t play in 2009. And, due to niceties of the CBA, it might make more sense for Crabtree to re-enter the draft at that point.
If Crabtree re-enters the draft, the 49ers would receive no draft-pick compensation.
Also, if he would try to play in another league in 2009, the 49ers would hold his rights for three years.
The last multiple-game rookie holdouts came in 2002, when Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie and Chiefs defensive tackle Ryan Sims missed several games each before signing.
In 2007, Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell signed days after the regular-season opener.
As to Crabtree, it’s unclear what will happen. But he seems to be sufficiently delusional to believe that he’ll be a top-five pick in 2010.
And we’re still rooting for that to happen simply because Peter King already has vowed that he’ll change his name to Derek Jeter. (Although we’d settled for “Peter Jeter.” Actually, we’d prefer it.)
