Crabtree signs with 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Wide receiver Michael Crabtree, San Francisco's first-round draft choice in April, agreed to a six-year contract with the 49ers, the NFL team said Wednesday.

The deal is worth $20 million over five seasons, with $16 million guaranteed. A sixth year of the deal could be voided if the wide receiver doesn't reach certain performance goals.

The Niners and Crabtree were facing a Nov. 17 signing deadline, after which Crabtree would have been unable to sign with the team. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, and team contract specialist Paraag Marathe announced the agreement about 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Crabtree was the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft. The 49ers are 3-1 on the season but were looking for help for their passing game, which is 31st in the NFL.

Crabtree, 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, twice won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top collegiate receiver while at Texas Tech. He caught 231 passes for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns in 26 games with the Red Raiders. He made himself eligible for the NFL draft after his sophomore season.