PRO: Touted as one of the most versatile athletes in the country coming out of college, Patrick Crayton continues to display his athletic ability in the NFL, as both a punt returner and wide receiver. Crayton will have the opportunity to secure the team's second wide receiver position for the 2009 season. It is a role that he is familiar with, having taken over in 2007 with the loss of Terry Glenn and again at the start of the 2008 season, but he hopes to further cement his job in 2009. Crayton spent his first three seasons as the club's primary punt returner and as a reserve wide receiver before having the opportunity to showcase his talents on a full time basis in 2007. He finished with career highs for receptions (50), receiving yards (697) and touchdowns (seven) in 2007 after he was elevated to the second wide receiver. He has 18 career receiving touchdowns, averaging 25.8 yards-per-touchdown.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
12/27/07: Signed a five-year extension with Dallas through 2012.
4/5/07: Signed a one-year contract with Dallas.
3/2/06: Signed a one-year contract with Dallas.
10/30/04: Signed to active roster.
10/2/04: Released and signed to team's practice squad.
4/25/04: Drafted in the seventh round (216th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Started seven-of-16 games played, catching 39 passes for 550 yards and four touchdowns - which tied for second on the team.
Also finished with 15 punt returns for 143 yards.
Started at Cleveland (9/7) and tied for the team lead with six receptions for 82 yards.
Attempted his second career pass at Green Bay (9/21) which fell incomplete intended for Terrell Owens.
Posted a season-high seven catches - which tied for the team lead - for a season-high 87 yards with a long of 25 yards against Washington (9/28). Three of his seven receptions gained a first down on third down.
Recorded his first touchdown catch of the season against Cincinnati (10/5) on a 15-yard grab to seal the game.
Had a season-long 55-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7 at Arizona (10/12). Finished with three catches for 84 yards.
Posted a team season-long 33-yard punt return at St. Louis (10/19) as he finished with two returns for 41 yards. Also had three receptions for 30 yards and one rush for 11 yards.
Led the team with 46 receiving yards on four receptions and added one punt return for six yards at N.Y. Giants (11/2).
Recorded his fourth touchdown of the season with a 34-yard grab against the N.Y. Giants (12/14), finishing with two receptions for 49 yards. Also added four punt returns for 34 yards (8.5 avg).
2007:
Made 13 starts as the team's second wide receiver, recording career-high numbers in catches (50), receiving yards (697) and touchdowns (seven).
Thirty-three of his 50 receptions went for a first down, including 15 on third or fourth down.
Added 22 punt returns for 201 yards with a career-long of 49 yards.
Started against the N.Y. Giants (9/9) in place of Glenn (knee) and had three catches for 51 yards.
Suffered a dislocated right pinky finger in the second quarter at Miami (9/16) but returned to action and recorded a career-long 49-yard punt return.
Had a career game against St. Louis (9/30), recording seven receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns - the first multiple-touchdown game of his career.
Was his second career 100-yard receiving game and the 14th-best receiving yardage day in club history.
Established a single-season career-high with his fifth touchdown reception of the season at the N.Y. Giants (11/11) along with five catches for 66 yards.
Inactive against the N.Y. Jets (11/22) with a left ankle sprain.
Recorded the second-multiple touchdown game of the season and his career against Green Bay (11/29).
Led the team with seven catches for 65 yards at Carolina (12/22).
2006:
Set then career highs for receptions (36), receiving yards (516) and receiving touchdowns (four) playing in 16 regular season games, including seven starts.
Twenty-eight of his 36 receptions picked up a first down, including 14 on third or fourth down.
Shared punt return duties with Terence Newman and gained 85 yards on 11 returns.
Suffered a sprained right ankle in the first preseason game at Seattle (8/12) - missing two weeks.
Returned to practice Aug. 28 and played in the last preseason game against Minnesota (8/31).
Made his first start at Philadelphia (10/8) and had two catches for 18 yards.
Led the team with 61 receiving yards on a season-high five receptions against Houston (10/15).
Recorded his longest reception of the season - a 53-yard touchdown catch - against the N.Y. Giants (10/23).
Had a season-high 84 receiving yards on four catches at Washington (11/5), all four catches came on scoring drives and three picked up first downs.
Led the team with a career-high 104 receiving yards - his first career 100-yard receiving game - and a touchdown on five receptions.
Had three receptions for 42 yards in his playoff debut at Seattle (1/6/07).
2005:
Played in 11 games recording 22 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns as the third receiver.
Led the team with then career-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (89) with one touchdown at San Diego (9/11).
Had four receptions for 39 yards and gained no yards on his first career rush, which came on a fake punt attempt at San Francisco (9/25).
Recorded a career-long 63-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter at Oakland (10/2).
Set career highs with seven punt returns for 84 yards against Philadelphia (10/9) and had two receptions for 30 yards.
Fractured his ankle on a 10-yard first down reception in overtime against the N.Y. Giants (10/16).
Inactive the next five games with a fractured ankle.
Returned to action at the N.Y. Giants (12/4) and had one punt return for four yards.
Had four fair catches, tying the club single-game record, against Kansas City (12/11).
2004:
Finished with 12 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown in eight games.
Was inactive the first three weeks of his rookie season.
Was released Oct. 2 and spent the next month on the club's practice squad.
Returned to the active roster Oct. 30 after Glenn was lost for the season and Quincy Morgan was injured at Green Bay (10/24).
Made his NFL debut against Detroit (10/31) as a punt returner and receiver, recording a 30-yard catch on third-and-eight for his first career reception.
Was the fourth receiver at Seattle (12/6) and took a direct snap from center on a two-point attempt but was tackled short of the end zone.
Inactive the following two weeks, against New Orleans (12/12) and at Philadelphia (12/19).
Recorded two catches for 54 yards, including the game-winning touchdown against Washington (12/26).
Had a 39-yard touchdown catch - his first career touchdown reception - against the Redskins that gave Dallas a 13-10 lead with 30 seconds remaining
Finished second on the team with a season-high five receptions for 58 yards after taking over as the second receiver when Keyshawn Johnson fractured his ankle at the N.Y. Giants (1/2/05).
In the second quarter, attempted his first career pass, throwing an interception after getting the ball on a handoff.
COLLEGE:
Played in 44 games at Northwestern Oklahoma State as a punt returner, kickoff returner, quarterback and wide receiver.
Recorded 80 receptions and 17 touchdowns as a receiver and gained 1,751 yards on 209 carries with 17 touchdowns; averaged 20.8 yards on 72 punt returns with 10 touchdowns; averaged 23.7 yards on 39 kickoff returns with two touchdowns; and completed 136-of-236 passes (57.6%) for 1,967 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Was a four-time all-conference selection, and in four years, gained 5,688 all-purpose yards, including 3,718 yards in total offense and 46 touchdowns.
Earned Little All-America second-team and All-Central States Football League Offensive Player of the Year honors after starting at quarterback, handling kickoff returns and punt returns, and playing wide receiver as a senior.
Completed 128-of-221 (57.9%) passes for 1,837 yards and a then school-record 19 touchdowns.
Also rushed for a school single-season record 1,476 yards on 173 carries with 13 touchdowns and made 15 receptions for 331 yards and four touchdowns.
Became the first player in NAIA history to score a touchdown as a passer, receiver, rusher, kickoff returner and punt returner in a single season.
Earned All-America honorable mention and All-CSFL first-team honors at receiver as a sophomore and junior.
Led the nation with 19 punt returns for 508 yards (26.7 per-return) and three touchdowns as a sophomore.
PERSONAL:
Patrick Jamel Crayton attended DeSoto, Texas, High School and was a standout at receiver, quarterback, running back and return specialist.
Graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State with a degree in health education.
Married Najiyyah on October 27, 2008. CHILD
Participated in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, attending the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 2008.
COMMUNITY:
2004 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
2006 Stars of Texas�Racing Against the Odds for American Diabetes Association.
2006 - 2008 Patrick Crayton Youth Football Camp in DeSoto.
2007 Dallas Cowboys Early Thanksgiving Day Meal at The Salvation Army.
