Patrick Crayton

Trade rumors dogged Crayton after the Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant, but the 6'0", 204 lbs. veteran heads into training camp still on the Dallas roster. He set a career high with 16.8 yards per catch in 2009 and made an impact on special teams with two punt returns for TDs and a 12.1 yard average, but if Bryant develops as expected Crayton will find himself fourth on the WR depth chart behind the rookie, Roy Williams and his albatross contract, and Miles Austin, and Crayton will be little more than an expensive insurance policy. A trade could still be in the cards.

With Terrell Owens gone and Roy Williams entrenched as the team’s top receiver, Crayton will compete with Miles Austin for the team’s No. 2 job. Of course Jason Witten is going to make whoever wins that job the No. 3 option in the passing game, but Tony Romo does a nice job of getting the ball down the field, and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett calls an aggressive game. The 6-0, 203-pound Crayton has average size and speed, but he’ll catch a ball in traffic and is a good runner after the catch. Should Williams miss any time due to injury, a common occurrence in his career, the winner of the Crayton/Austin battle should see a nice bump in value.

With Terrell Owens turning 35 this season and Terry Glenn turning 34 (and questionable to return in any event as he decides whether to have knee surgery), Crayton's in a good place. And, judging solely by the numbers, Crayton had a solid season in 2007, catching 62 percent of his passes and averaging 8.6 yards per target. But Crayton dropped a crucial third-down pass in the Cowboys' playoff game against the Giants that might well have cost them the game. We imagine he'll be on a shorter leash with the team and the fans should he struggle at all in the early going. The other issue for Crayton is his status as the No. 3 option even if Glenn isn't around because tight end Jason Witten is such a major factor in the offense. Owens is quarterback Tony Romo's first look in the end zone, but Witten also saw 17 targets inside the 20 to Crayton's 14. At 6-0, 205, Crayton's got average size but good acceleration and the quickness to make defenders miss. And, his big drop in the playoffs notwithstanding, he's got decent hands. Playing with Tony Romo and the high-octane Dallas offense, Crayton should be productive as long as Glenn isn't a major factor.

Set career highs with 36 catches for 516 yards and four TDs in 2006, but won't produce much more unless Terrell Owens or Terry Glenn get hurt.

Crayton was having a solid season as the Cowboys' #3 receiver in 2005 before being felled by an ankle injury. With Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn working downfield, Crayton could find more room underneath -- if he's 100% a modest improvement on last year's numbers (22 catches, 341 yards, 2 TDs in 11 games) seems a lock.

Crayton will push Quincy Morgan for the third receiver spot in camp, and could be a sleeper if he wins the job (or if injuries push him up the depth chart). Crayton finished his rookie season with 12 catches for 162 yards and a TD in eight games.

Crayton is more likely to make an impact on special teams than at wide receiver in 2004.