NFL Stock Up: Week 11

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have helped their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that exceeded all expectations and provided exceptional value to his team.

Stock Up

Antonio Cromartie– Cromartie took a one year deal with the Cardinals to prove he still has it and he has been one of the best signings of the season in the NFL. Cromartie went out there to cover one of the best WR tandems in the game and he was part of what was effectively a shutout effort for Arizona. It’s doubtful the Cardinals can re-sign Cromartie next year, but he has certainly earned himself a new deal and then some. And to think the Jets let him go for nothing…

Kenny Britt– Britt signed with the Rams as a reclamation project, hoping to prove that he can be a model citizen and regain the form that had him looking like a very promising player a few years ago. While his numbers this year have not been great, his 120+ yard day was and his big touchdown was the key play seen over and over in the Rams upset win. Britt won’t break the bank this offseason but he is showing that there is enough left to keep him in the NFL at a level above the minimum.

Michael CrabtreeThis summer Crabtree made it known that he wanted to be paid like a number 1 receiver. While he has not delivered on that promise, he has for the last two weeks made some very big plays, including yesterdays big touchdown catch against the Giants. Crabtree still has a few weeks left to get some momentum as he heads into free agency next year.

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New Contract Player Of The Week

Jonas Gray– There were a lot of places to go with this one, specifically the corners in Arizona that helped shut down the Lions, but no player made more of an impact than Gray, who scored 4 TDs and ran for 200 yards in the blowout win against the Colts. Gray bounced around the NFL as a practice squad level player before getting the call up from New England and he’s helping show why running backs are a dime a dozen in this league, just as LeGarrette Blount did for New England last season.