Following owner Jerry Jones’s mandate to be aggressive before the trade deadline, the Dallas Cowboys’ most coveted, yet most expensive, potential target is Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
While the Raiders have publicly stated they are not shopping their franchise cornerstone, any team serious about prying Crosby away must prepare a trade package mirroring the cost of a true, elite, difference-making defender.
Acquiring Crosby, who is under contract through the 2029 season, means Dallas is trading for both immediate, premier production and long-term control, but at a very steep premium.
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The estimated trade package
Given Crosby’s production and his relatively team-friendly extension (signed in 2025), the price will be inflated significantly because of his consistent, high-level performance.
Asset Type Estimated Cost Range Rationale
Draft Capital At least two first-round picks A trade for a premium, young, top-tier edge rusher without a clear exit strategy typically starts with two Day 1 selections.
Player Compensation A high-value young starter/prospect The Raiders, in their rebuild phase, would demand a young player who can contribute immediately, potentially a starting-calibre defender or a rotational piece.
Contract Absorption Minimal dead cap burden The Raiders’ contract structure makes trading him after his recent extension surprisingly manageable for the acquiring team regarding immediate salary cap relief.
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The financial feasibility for Dallas
The good news for Jerry Jones is that acquiring Crosby seems more financially palatable than acquiring a similar-calibre player with fewer guaranteed years remaining.
Crosby is currently carrying a significant cap hit in 2025 (Aprox $38.1 million), but because much of his new money is guaranteed through 2026, the dead cap charge for the Raiders on a pre-June 1 trade is manageable.
For Dallas, absorbing that existing commitment is the correct type of contract for a player they plan to keep long-term.
However, the trade cost is the sticking point.
Trading two first-round picks means relinquishing the high-end foundational talent Dallas desperately needs on defence elsewhere on the roster.
Ultimately, while acquiring Crosby would instantly solve the pass-rush deficiency left by the Micah Parsons trade, the cost, coupled with George Pickens’ future contract demands, forces Jones to weigh sending away multiple future assets against relying on internal development and cheaper free-agent signings to salvage the defence this season.
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