The Oakland Raiders are Jordy Nelson’s first visit in his free agent tour, and they might be his only visit. The Raiders met with him Wednesday evening, and are attempting to finalize a contract on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.
The San Francisco 49ers were mentioned as a team interested in Nelson, but nothing came of. The Seattle Seahawks were also mentioned, but they have since decided to bring in Jaron Brown for a visit. That would seem to suggest they think the Raiders will get something done.
The more interesting aspect of this potential transaction is the expectation that the Raiders would release Michael Crabtree to make room for Nelson. Crabtree has a cap figure of a little over $7.7 milllion in the penultimate season of his four-year contract extension. Crabtree struggled last year, finishing with 58 receptions for 618 yards. He did get into the end zone eight times, but his catches and yards were both down after back-to-back seasons with at least 85 receptions.
And no, I do not anticipate the 49ers making a play for Crabtree if he is released. The 49ers could use some more depth at the wide receiver position, but I see them looking at in the draft rather than a bigger name in free agency. They have been connected to Terrelle Pryor, but given his struggles last year, and only having one notable season to his credit, any Pryor deal would likely be a relatively inexpensive flier. Additionally, Cleveland Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot reported only the Browns, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams are the teams interested in Pryor.