49ers free agent Michael Crabtree to visit Oakland Raiders next week, per Rand Getlin

The Michael Crabtree free agency road show has been slow to say the least, but it appears to have a new possibility. The former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver is going to visit with the Oakland Raiders next week, according to Yahoo! Sports' NFL reporter Rand Getlin.

The Raiders desperately need help at the wide receiver position. Derek Carr showed a lot as a rookie, but he needs more than James Jones, Rod Streater, Andre Holmes and Kenbrell Thompkins. When healthy, Crabtree is better than any receiver on the Raiders roster. Of course, that has been the rub during Crabtree's time with the 49ers. He has dealt with numerous foot issues and a torn Achilles, and it has cost him and the 49ers significantly. But if the Raiders can land him on a one-year deal, it limits the risk and provides significant upside for Carr.

There is the possibility that Crabtree does not sign somewhere until after the draft, and maybe even after the new May 12 deadline that removes him from the comp pick formula. However, even if the Raiders draft Kevin White or Amari Cooper later this month, adding a guy like Crabtree would still make sense. White or Cooper provides a potential long term option, but they would still be left with a veritable pu pu platter of meh receivers. If Derek Carr had Crabtree in tandem with White or Cooper, suddenly that receiver corps looks a whole lot better.