Michael Crabtree free agency interest coming from Raiders, Dolphins, Ravens, per report

Fooch's Update: Sounds like he is expected to sign with the Oakland Raiders.

San Francisco 49ers fans continue to wait for Michael Crabtree to find a new home, and we may be in it for the long haul. Crabtree reportedly visited with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders in the last couple weeks. There were reports of some exchange of numbers in Miami, but the Dolphins denied that. There has been nothing about the Raiders visit.

And now, we have a third team in the mix. Matt Maiocco is reporting the Baltimore Ravens have shown interest in him. There has been no word of a visit, but they can be added to the radar.

My guess at this point is that Crabtree will not be signing until after the May 12 deadline for the comp pick formula. At that point, unrestricted free agents that were not released (thus their contracts expired with the start of the new league year) will no longer count against the comp pick formula. It's unfortunate for the 49ers attempts to accrue more draft picks, but that's just the way life is.

It is certainly possible Crabtree could sign somewhere between now and May 12, but with the draft now rapidly approaching, I just don't see it happening. Teams know there is a lot of young receiver talent available April 30 to May 2. Once teams get through the draft, they will re-assess where they stand, and fill any remaining holes with undrafted free agents and then more veteran free agents. I suspect sometime in mid-May, before teams begin OTAs, we'll see Crabtree sign somewhere. It is possible he could last into the summer looking for a new team, but I imagine it does not happen before May 12.