49ers’ Crabtree contrite only about his catch, scoring output

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After Michael Crabtree noted he’d done plenty of downfield blocking in the past for his buddy, running back Frank Gore, the 49ers wide receiver was asked Wednesday if he’d improved in that area during his six-year career.

“I’ve been a blocker,” Crabtree said. “I just need to improve in scoring touchdowns and catching more passes.”

There is, of course, plenty of speculation that Crabtree, 27, will seek more touchdowns and targets on a different team in 2015. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and he publicly offered a not-so-subtle sign he wasn’t thrilled with his 49ers role after their overtime win at New Orleans in November.

Asked about his game-saving 51-yard fourth-quarter catch, Crabtree, oddly, used the forum to carp about his place in the pecking order: “I’m a third-down receiver,” he said. “I’m like the third option.”

Crabtree actually has been the second pass-catching option behind Anquan Boldin this season: He ranks second on the team in catches (64) and yards (657) and is tied with Boldin with four touchdowns.

Still, his reception total ranks 37th in the NFL and his receiving yardage ranks 64th. Those aren’t the type of numbers Crabtree envisioned when he entered the NFL as the No. 10 pick in the 2009 draft after collecting 231 catches, 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns during his two-year career at Texas Tech.

Now, Crabtree, who staged a 71-day holdout before signing his rookie contract, will have the chance to test free agency for the first time in his career. Does he want to return to the 49ers?

“It depends,” he said. “I don’t even want to talk about it. It’s just one of those things — I don’t even want to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about a contract or anything like that.”

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at O.com Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Zito) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at O.com Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Zito) Photo: Michael Zito / Associated Press Photo: Michael Zito / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers’ Crabtree contrite only about his catch, scoring output 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

In August, it was reported the 49ers were making progress toward a contract extension with Crabtree. Four months later, however, it’s unclear if he’ll be a free-agent priority for a team whose 23rd-ranked offense has sorely lacked a downfield threat at wide receiver.

The 49ers’ top two wideouts under contract for 2015, Stevie Johnson (12.4 yards per catch) and Boldin (12.1), rank 58th and 62nd in yards per reception. Crabtree, who missed the first 11 games of 2013 with a torn Achilles, is averaging a career-low 10.3 yards per catch. Just nine of his 64 catches have gained 20-plus yards.

In September, there was speculation Crabtree was the source when his friend, NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders, said the players wanted Jim Harbaugh “out.” Crabtree subsequently denied he was the source on Twitter.

On Wednesday, the wide receiver who may not return to the 49ers said he’s on good terms with the head coach who almost certainly won’t be back.

“He’s one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever played for,” Crabtree said. “... He’s a players’ coach. He’s just a good dude. Everyone has their own opinion, but he’s been a good dude to me. And this team.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch