News is coming out now that the Chargers have picked up Wide Receiver Patrick Crayton from the Dallas Cowboys for a conditional 7th-round draft pick; should Crayton catch 40 passes this year for the Chargers the pick becomes a 6th-rounder. Crayton is a solid, if not good, veteran receiver that was just pushed out by big-money guys like Roy Williams and rookie Dez Bryant.
This move seems to be to build depth at Wide Receiver, either in preparation for Vincent Jackson to be dealt, or to build some more veteran presence in a corps of young receivers. This isn't necessarily saying that the team wasn't happy with Jeremy Williams and Seyi Ajirotutu, but getting a quality veteran for a 7th round pick is difficult to pass up when it's at a position of need.
Crayton's current contract has him due to make $2-million this season, and $2.5-million in 2011. This coupled with the low draft-pick gives the team a good veteran receiver at a relative bargain. It was pretty much a given that Patrick Crayton would be cut from the Cowboys by Saturday, so they were more than willing to deal him.
Marty Caswell spoke with Crayton shortly after news of the move broke, and he seems quite excited to come to San Diego:
I'm looking forward to being there. Oh my. Oh my. Big things. I'm going to a contender. A pro bowl QB. Much respect for Norv Turner, who did great things in Dallas. I'm coming in to compete & do whatever they ask me to do
