With the 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders likely just a few of losses away from being out of playoff contention, trade speculation has heated up around one of the team's top stars.
Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby is one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL, and with the Raiders staring down the barrel of a rebuild, it would make sense for them to stockpile some serious draft capital in exchange for their top trade asset.
If Crosby were made available, there likely would be 31 teams lining up to make Vegas an offer, but given his pass-rushing prowess, a playoff team like the Detroit Lions make a lot of sense as a possible landing spot.
And with Crosby being an Eastern Michigan alum and having grown up a Lions fan, the dots seemingly connect themselves, which is why Bleacher Report's Moe Moton named the Lions as one of the frontrunners to trade for the 28-year-old edge-rusher.
In his trade proposal, Moton has the Lions getting Crosby, while the Raiders acquire first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, a fourth-round pick in 2026, a fifth-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Roy Lopez.
"From a football perspective, Detroit would have arguably the league’s best pass-rushing duo with Crosby and Aidan Hutchinson bookending its defensive line," Moton wrote. "… The Raiders would find the most value in the Lions’ draft capital. They can insert Lopez into their defensive line rotation to strengthen a unit that’s allowed nine rushing touchdowns in seven games."
Crosby would be a huge upgrade along Detroit’s defensive line.
He’s tied for the Raiders’ team lead with four sacks along with 28 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble. He’s also logged 25 pressures, 15 hurries, and six QB hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
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One potential holdup to the potential blockbuster deal is the salary-cap implications.
The Lions currently have $25.12 million in cap space, and they'd be adding Crosby's massive three-year, $106.5 million contract, which carries a $35.16 million cap hit this season and a $35.8 million cap hit next year.
However, as Moton points out, the Lions don't have to worry about paying Hutchinson a monster new deal for at least one more season, and by then they could simply restructure Crosby's deal then to make the financials work.
"It’s worth noting that Crosby doesn’t have any dead money on his contract beyond the 2026 season," he added. "Hutchinson’s rookie deal runs through 2026. In 2027, the Lions can start to pay Hutchinson his new money and restructure Crosby’s contract to make it all work under the salary cap."
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