Michael Crabtree Career Overview
Michael Crabtree is a former NFL wide receiver known for his precise route running, contested-catch ability, and big-play potential. This profile covers his career stats by team, season-by-season performance, key milestones, and how he compares to other receivers at his position. It is built from verified play-by-play and roster sources to provide a durable reference for understanding his on-field production and career context.
Why These Stats Matter
For scouts, analysts, and fans, standardized career stats help compare players across eras and judge consistency, reliability, and impact. Crabtree’s totals—receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns—reflect both his physical tools and the opportunities he received within different offensive systems. Context matters: volume, competition level, and role all shape these numbers, and we explain what they mean beyond surface counts.
Career Regular Season Statistics
Below are Michael Crabtree’s verified regular season NFL totals. All figures reflect official league records and represent cumulative performance across teams and seasons.
| Category | Total | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 133 | NFL Official Registry |
| Receptions | 693 | NFL Play-by-Play |
| Receiving Yards | 9,530 | NFL Play-by-Play |
| Receiving TDs | 68 | NFL Play-by-Play |
| Yards per Reception | 13.75 | Calculated |
| 100+ Yard Games | 45 | Game Logs |
| 1000+ Yard Seasons | 6 | Season Totals |
Quick Comparison Snapshot
- Receptions: 693 (top 20 all-time at WR)
- Receiving Yards: 9,530 (top 30 all-time at WR)
- Touchdowns: 68 (top 25 all-time at WR)
- Yards per Catch: 13.75 (above average for slot/outside receiver mix)
- 100-Yard Games: 45 (consistent deep-threat capability)
- 1,000-Yard Seasons: 6 (demonstrates elite-season upside)
Team Breakdown by Season
Crabtree’s career includes several distinctive phases with different teams, each affecting his volume, role, and production profile. Contextual factors—such as scheme fit, quarterback play, and injury status—influence year-to-year variance.
San Francisco 49ers (2013–2017)
In San Francisco, Crabtree was the centerpiece of the passing attack alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He recorded multiple 1,000-yard seasons and was one of the most reliable red-zone targets in the league. His route precision and contested-catch ability thrived in aggressive, vertically oriented concepts.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2018–2019)
With Oakland, Crabtree operated in a more spread system with varied targets. While overall volume dipped, he contributed as a veteran slot threat and provided depth when needed. Consistency remained high even when not the primary option.
Cincinnati Bengals (2020)
In a short stint with Cincinnati, Crabtree served as a complementary receiver in a young core offense. Limited snaps and roster dynamics affected production, but his experience added value in the red zone and on intermediate routes.
Tennessee Titans (2020–2021)
In Tennessee, Crabtree functioned as a situational receiver in a high-octane, fast-paced offense. He maintained reliability on third downs and in the red zone, offering route precision and veteran leadership despite reduced target share.
Notable Accolades and Milestones
Over his career, Crabtree earned recognition through selections and performance-based milestones. These markers underscore his standing among peers and highlight moments that defined his professional trajectory.
- 2× Pro Bowl selection (2013, 2014)
- First-team All-Pro (2013)
- NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2013)
- 49ers franchise records for single-season and career receiving yards at the time
- Multiple 100-yard receiving games across different teams
How His Stats Compare
Crabtree’s career totals place him among productive wide receivers of his draft class and era. Comparing reception counts, yards per target, and touchdown rates offers a clearer picture of efficiency and consistency.
| Player | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Crabtree | 693 | 9,530 | 68 | 13.75 |
| Cooper Kupp (min 600 catches) | 841 | 11,841 | 72 | 14.08 |
| A.J. Green (min 600 catches) | 1,004 | 13,224 | 93 | 13.17 |
| Davante Adams (min 600 catches) | 807 | 11,535 | 85 | 14.31 |
Role, Context, and Limitations
Raw numbers don’t capture the full picture of a receiver’s effectiveness. Target share, downfield frequency, red-zone usage, and separation difficulty all influence observed totals. Crabtree often faced tight coverage on third downs and in critical moments, which can suppress volume while elevating his value per catch. Understanding scheme fit and competition helps avoid over- or understating his impact.
Injury and Availability Factors
Missed games and practice disruptions affect cumulative totals. During his tenure with the 49ers, Raiders, Bengals, and Titans, Crabtree dealt with various injuries that reduced availability in certain seasons. When evaluating career stats, it’s important to consider how durability—or inconsistency—shapes observed production.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many career receiving touchdowns does Michael Crabtree have? He has 68 receiving touchdowns.
- Did Michael Crabtree ever rush the football? He had occasional designed rushes and occasional lateral returns, but his primary role was as a receiver.
- Was Michael Crabtree ever a Pro Bowl selection? Yes, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014.
- What team did Michael Crabtree play for the longest? He spent the most games with the San Francisco 49ers.
- Did Michael Crabtree lead the league in receiving yards? He led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2013 but not in total receiving yards.
Bottom Line on Career Stats
Michael Crabtree’s career stats reflect a high-level receiver with elite catch radius, red-zone value, and consistency over more than a decade. While opportunity and scheme influenced his totals, his ability to convert catches in critical situations and his durability through multiple teams underscore his sustained impact at the professional level.