News: The Buccaneers continued their busy offseason and agreed to a contract with former Packers tight end Tom Crabtree on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Crabtree, who was not tendered a deal by Green Bay, is entering his fifth season in the NFL. He started 15 games for the Packers over the past two seasons, totaling 14 receptions for 241 yards and four touchdowns.
Analysis: Crabtree was thrust into a starting role with the Packers last season as Jermichael Finley dealt with nagging injuries and posted career highs in catches (eight), yards (203) and touchdowns (three). He could compete right away for a starting job with the Bucs as he could also work as a fullback with his 6-foot-4 stature. Still, he is unlikely to be worth a selection in most Fantasy drafts for the 2013 campaign.
News: The Packers have decided not to offer tight end Tom Crabtree a restricted tender deal, making him an unrestricted free agent, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Analysis: Despite having some good size, Crabtree has been more of a blocker than a pass catcher; one of his three 2012 touchdowns came on a trick play. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
News: Packers tight end Tom Crabtree was a total non-factor in Week 11 against the Lions, as Jermichael Finley became a contributor in the offense yet again. Crabtreee was not targeted at all in the passing game, in a 24-20 win.
Analysis: Crabtree had scored in two of the previous four games with Finley struggling, but he was also held without a catch in the other two games. Crabtree has just six catches on the season, and should be ignore in all but the deepest of Fantasy formats for Week 12 against the Giants.
News: Green Bay tight end Tom Crabtree had just one reception during the Packers' last game against Arizona. But the lone catch went for a touchdown as he continued his strong stretch near the end zone for Green Bay. Crabtree enters Week 11 at Detroit with two touchdown receptions over his past four games, and will look to take advantage of a Lions defense that has yielded five scores to the position this season.
Analysis: Crabtree has been held to only six catches this season, but three of them have gone for touchdowns. His solid presence near the line of scrimmage has helped him overtake Jermichael Finley as Aaron Rodgers' preferred tight end in scoring opportunities. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect high yardage totals from Crabtree -- though his score in Week 9 was on a 72-yard pass -- but he is worth a look as a last-minute replacement in deeper formats for Week 11. The Lions have also permitted an average of 8.3 Fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
News: Packers tight end Tom Crabtree made only one catch Week 9 vs. Arizona, but he needed only one catch to make a difference in a 31-17 win. Crabtree's 72-yard touchdown reception, which was a career-long, gave the Packers a two-score advantage heading into the fourth quarter. He was targeted twice in the game.
Analysis: Crabtree has totaled three touchdowns this season, which is also a career-best. He has taken on a bit of a bigger role in 2012 because Jermichael Finley has had some health concerns. However, Crabtree is not a reliable receiver. He has only one game this season with more than one catch. He is not a recommended Fantasy option in most formats. The Packers on a bye until Week 11 at Detroit.
News: Packers tight end Tom Crabtree caught his second touchdown of the season during Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Texans. Aaron Rodgers found Crabtree deep for his longest passing play of the night, a 48-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter. Crabtree finished with just two receptions for a career-high 62 yards and a touchdown in a 42-24 victory. He was targeted three times and was the team's third leading receiver behind Jordy Nelson (121) and Randall Cobb (102).
Analysis: Crabtree took advantage of D.J. Williams' absence and was able to make the best out of his four targets as he outplayed Jermichael Finley in Week 6. Crabtree enjoyed one of his best performances of his career and has two touchdowns already this season, putting him ahead of Finley for the team lead among tight ends. He could start seeing a bigger role on offense as the season progresses. That said, he is viewed as merely a low-end option in the deepest of Fantasy formats moving forward.
News: Packers tight end Tom Crabtree could see more playing time depending on the status of Jermichael Finley heading into Week 6 at Houston. Finley, who is nursing a shoulder injury is expected to be a game-time decision. If Finley is ruled out, the Packers could roll with Williams on Sunday. Finley was forced out of last week's game against the Colts with a shoulder injury. D.J. Williams, who could be next in line to replace Finley, is also dealing with a pulled hamstring. Crabtree caught one pass for six yards in Week 5 against Indianapolis.
Analysis: Crabtree made his only catch last week while Finley was on the field and could see some more playing time depending on the status of both Finley and Williams heading into Week 6. Crabtree has not been much of a factor in Fantasy and has only caught one pass in each of his last three games. At this point, Crabtree is just considered as a desperation tight end heading into, if Finley and Williams are both out.
News: Packers tight end Tom Crabtree caught one pass for six yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Colts. He was targeted just once.
Analysis: Tight end speculators looking to possibly cash in on the Jermichael Finley injury should instead be looking at D.J. Williams. Crabtree's catch actually came before Finley was hurt, and all of the tight end targets after the injury went Williams' way. Crabtree has no fantasy value as of right now.
News: Packers TE Tom Crabtree hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass in a Week 11 victory over the Buccaneers. It was the first touchdown of Crabtree's career. He finished with two catches for a total of five yards.
Analysis: Crabtree is used minimally in the Packers' offense, and given the wealth of targets that QB Aaron Rodgers can go to, there is little reason to think that Crabtree will have a big game in his future. Owners can continue to ignore him in all Fantasy formats.
News: Green Bay backup TE Tom Crabtree caught the only pass thrown his way in Week 5 against Atlanta. That catch was good for 15 yards. The Packers would win the game, 25-14.
Analysis: Crabtree now has two catches for 19 yards on the year. He's not a Fantasy relevant player and can be ignored in all leagues heading into Week 6.
News: The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that Packers TE Tom Crabtree hurt his ribs during Saturday's preseason opener at Cleveland. Crabtree finished the game with one catch for 5 yards.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Crabtree's status and hopefully he will be OK. When healthy, he has minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day.
News: Green Bay TE Tom Crabtree caught just one pass -- for a touchdown -- in the Packers' 21-16 victory at Philadelphia in an NFC Wild Card game on Sunday. Crabtree hauled in a 7-yard pass from QB Aaron Rodgers to give Green Bay its first touchdown of the game. The score also represented his one target in Sunday's game. "You know, I have no idea what I did with the ball," he said. "I just threw the ball away and I really should have kept it for a memory."
Analysis: Crabtree -- not the popular Michael -- made his one reception count as he scored the first touchdown of his career. Crabtree had tallied just four receptions in the regular season and totaled 61 yards. With star TE Jermichael Finley expected to return healthy for the 2011 season, Crabtree should not be considered in Fantasy drafts for next year.
News: Packers TE Tom Crabtree made a 33-yard grab in a Week 6 loss to Miami. Crabtree, who is the third TE, now has two catches in his two-year career.
Analysis: Crabtree is clearly going to see the odd snap here and there while Jermichael Finley is out injured, but as the third option behind Donald Lee and Andrew Quarless in Green Bay he can continue to be ignored in Fantasy play. The Packers host the Vikings in Week 7.
News: Packers TE Tom Crabtree had one catch for 3 yards Sunday at the Redskins. Crabtree got increased playing time with Jermichael Finley (hamstring) and Donald Lee (shoulder) hurt. He would move up to No. 2 on the depth chart if both are out in Week 6 against the Dolphins behind Andrew Quarless, who had four catches for 51 yards against the Redskins.
Analysis: Crabtree would have increased Fantasy value if Finley and Lee are out, but he would not be worth using in the majority of leagues. On top of that, Aaron Rodgers (concussion) was also hurt against the Redskins. Ignore Crabtree in Week 6 against Miami.
News: The Packers signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: cornerback D.J. Clark, tight end Tom Crabtree, linebacker Robert Francois, wide receiver Khalil Jones, running back Kregg Lumpkin, quarterback Chris Pizzotti and defensive end Ronald Talley.
Analysis: None of these players are expected to produce enough stats to warrant Fantasy use. Keep them off of rosters for now.
News: The winless Chiefs have signed former Arizona tight end Leonard Pope, linebacker David Herron and cornerback Mike Richardson. To make room, they released cornerback Ricardo Colclough, linebacker Monty Beisel and tight end Tom Crabtree.
Analysis: The only interesting name listed above is Pope, who we thought might land with the Chiefs since his offensive coordinator in Arizona, Todd Haley, is now the head coach. Pope is one to watch once he starts to get playing time, but he and the rest of the Chiefs' additions and releases aren't worth owning in Fantasy play right now.
