Chad Ochocinco versus Michael Crabtree? Veteran versus almost rookie. Strong division division versus weak division. Veteran QB versus unproven QB. This matchup features the known versus the potential, but is a choice facing many taking their WR2.
Chad Ochocinco is a good wide receiver with a nose for the spotlight who loves to catch a TD pass so that he can break into a celebration display that will earn him a fine from the commissioner. Because of this excitement, he can be a very fun player to own and watch. He plays for a good team in the Bengals with a good QB in Carson Palmer. They have a balanced offense with good skill position players all around. To some degree you know what you are getting with Ochocinco and that can be a good thing. The arrival of Terrell Owens is a wildcard at this point, but could have a significant impact on Ochocinco’s value. If Owens gets a significant number of balls thrown his way, it could eat into his totals, but otherwise expect a decent campaign in 2010.
Michael Crabtree doesn’t have a full NFL season under his belt yet after holding out for part of last year in a contract dispute. However, he didn’t let that stop him from becoming a key offensive contributor once he took the field and he can be expected to improve this year with a full training camp and offseason under his belt. The continued development of Alex Smith will be a factor in his performance, but as the unquestioned #1 WR and only TE Vernon Davis to provide serious competition to his targets he is a key component of this offense. The 49ers play in one of the weaker divisions in football with some juicy matchups many weeks, so he has a chance to shine against these weaker teams several games this year.
Put me in the Crabtree camp in this one. I think he is the real deal and will outperform expectations this year. Yes, he carries some risk as basically a 1.5 year WR, but his upside justifies the choice. Go with Ochocinco for the safer pick and you can still put some yards and TD’s in the bank, but with a capped upper value. Expect more deviation from Crabtree, but at the end of the season, he should come out on top in this matchup.
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