Michael Crabtree is going through the first full offseason of his three-year NFL career. Crabtree missed his first offseason due to a foot injury and holdout, and everyone missed last year's spring due to the lockout. "He's been working tirelessly," GM Trent Baalke said. "He's been involved with the entire process this offseason." Crabtree also indicated he's finally over the early-career foot problems. "I don't want to jinx myself," he said, "but I'm feeling amazing."

The Sacramento Bee suggests Michael Crabtree could see increased action at slot receiver following the 49ers' offseason additions of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. Moss and Manningham are outside receivers only, and the Niners believe Crabtree is physical and quick enough to get open in the slot. If the design holds, Crabtree would play a Miles Austin-like role in San Francisco, lining up at flanker or split end in the base offense and kicking inside to the slot on passing downs. That way, the 49ers could get their best three receivers on the field most often. It would be a plus for Crabtree in PPR leagues.

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee expects the 49ers to target a wide receiver to complement Michael Crabtree this offseason. Barrows suggests the Niners could consider Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston and Vincent Jackson should they become available, but concedes that the more likely route is through the draft. Crabtree and Kyle Williams are the only current wideouts on the roster signed beyond this season. The 49ers finished 29th in the NFL in passing offense in 2011 and managed just 183 yards per game.

Michael Crabtree expressed frustration with his role following the 49ers' loss in the NFC Championship Game. In two playoff games, Crabtree totaled five catches for 28 yards. "Sometimes, you've just got to move the ball," he said. "You've got to make plays. You've got to give people chances to make plays." Crabtree will return as the No. 1 receiver, but the Niners' conservative offense will continue to cap his upside.

Michael Crabtree caught just one pass for three yards in the 49ers' playoff loss to the Giants. After a career-best regular season, Crabtree came up small with 28 receiving yards combined in two playoff games. In Crabtree's defense, Alex Smith was wildly inaccurate throwing outside the numbers (and to everyone not named Vernon Davis) in Sunday's defeat. Crabtree's catch was the only one made by a 49ers wide receiver against the Giants. Expect Crabtree to again flirt with WR3 value in 2012, but the Niners may add talent to the position. They're also unlikely to diverge much from Jim Harbaugh's run-first ways.

Michael Crabtree caught four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown against the Saints in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Crabtree's 10 targets tied with Vernon Davis for the team lead. He scored early on a 4-yard screen pass, but then suffered three drops on a series of difficult but catchable balls. Crabtree will look to bounce back against the Packers-Giants winner next week.

Michael Crabtree caught five passes for 85 yards against the Seahawks in Week 16.

Michael Crabtree caught four passes for 35 yards against the Steelers in Week 15.

Michael Crabtree caught seven passes for 63 yards against the Cardinals in Week 14. Crabtree was targeted a team-high 12 times by Alex Smith but was unable to make anything happen on his yards after catch. He continues to the 49ers No. 1 option in the passing game and has 24 receptions for 333 yards over his last four games. He projects as a borderline WR2 against the Steelers in Week 15.

Michael Crabtree says he's now "100 percent" healthy for the first time this season. "He looks healthier. His gait looks better," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "He's such a tough guy. He never says a word about what's nagging him or bothering him. He just suits up and goes and plays." Knocking on the door to WR2 territory, Crabtree has at least five receptions or 90 yards in six of his past seven games.