What You Need To Know:

• Crowder, a Jet in 2021, missed 5 games — 3 with a groin strain and 2 with a calf strain. He missed 4 games in 2020.
• He wasn’t much use in fantasy, due in part to some bad QB play. Crowder tallied 51-447-2 on 71 targets.
• He finished as a top-30 WR only twice.
• The former Washington draft pick was efficient converting targets into receptions (71.8%). But he continued to play a short-range role and averaged only 8.8 YPC.
• Crowder averaged only 3.4 YAC per reception, the lowest mark of his career by over a yard.
• His Pro Football Focus receiving grade dropped to 65.1 following 2 straight seasons in the mid-70s.
• A spring free agent, Crowded signed a 1-year, $2 million deal with nearly $1.9 million guaranteed.
• Cole Beasley left in free agency; he vacates 465 slot snaps and 112 targets. Emmanuel Sanders leaves behind 72 targets.
• Beyond Crowder, though, Buffalo added rookie WR Khalil Shakir (Round 5) and free agent TE O.J. Howard. They also drafted pass-catching back James Cook and re-signed gadget-type Isaiah McKenzie.
• Howard’s arrival is particularly interesting, as new OC Ken Dorsey could look to increase the number of 2-TE sets (Howard + Dawson Knox).
• Buffalo pass catchers will remain propped up by Josh Allen and high-end pass volume. Last year, Allen ranked 4th in attempts.

Draft Sharks Bottom Line

Crrowder was a 2021 letdown, but a poor environment and a pair of injuries played major roles.

While durability is a concern, Crowder, only 29, landed in a fine spot in free agency. If he can capture the Cole Beasley role — or something close — he’ll have a chance to emerge as a WR3/4 spot-starter in PPR formats.

For now, he’s best off as an end-of-roster stash.