Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
Getty
Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
Of all of the teams courting Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, the Dallas Cowboys are the one perhaps best equipped to pay the massive asking price of two first-round picks.
The team has its own first-round pick (No. 12 overall) and the Green Bay Packers’ first-rounder (No. 20 overall), plus Green Bay’s first-round pick in 2027 as well that it could use as ammunition to close a deal for the 28-year-old Pro Bowl pass-rusher.
But if the Cowboys don’t want to pay the hefty price to acquire Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler, they are reportedly working through two potential contingency plans to upgrade their pass-rush.
Cowboys Working Through Crosby Backup Plans
Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson
GettyCincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson
SI.com’s Albert Breer is one of the more plugged in NFL insiders in the industry, so when he reports on something, most take notice.
Breer was recently discussing the logistics of a Crosby-Cowboys trade, and he revealed that if that deal doesn’t materialize, there are two players Dallas could turn to that would cost significantly less.
“My sense is they’ll at least kick the tires on Crosby,” Breer said. “Trey Hendrickson is older, but is a year removed from back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, and wouldn’t cost draft picks. Jaelan Phillips would be another option at edge and who was with new coordinator Christian Parker last year in Philly.”
Breer also noted that it will be difficult for the Raiders to actually get what they’re asking for in return for Crosby given his age, his contract, and the fact that teams don’t typically part with multiple first-round picks unless they feel they’re getting a sure-fire superstar.
“I also believe, though, that it’d be difficult to find the haul that the Raiders got for Khalil Mack eight years ago, or what Dallas got for Micah Parsons last year, or what the Dolphins received for Laremy Tunsil in 2019,” Breer added. “All of those guys were traded for packages fronted by two first-round picks. All of those guys were also much younger, nearing the ends of their rookie deals.”
Cowboys Insider Casts Doubt on Crosby Trade
Pulling off the kind of monster trade the Raiders are looking for in return for Crosby is difficult in itself given the draft compensation involved.
Many believe the Raiders are asking way too much, which is throwing up a serious road block in finding another team for the two-time All-Pro.
ESPN’s Jane Slater also reported most teams interested in Crosby — including the Cowboys — just aren’t willing to part with multiple first-rounders.
“On Maxx Crosby and the Cowboys being at play here….here is what I’m being told from a team source,” Slater wrote. “‘Raiders are talking to a lot of people. But we would not give up two first rounders.’ That’s the situation now. Will that change? I don’t know but I checked for those of you interested.
“I also believe that while Cowboys would and have parted with a 1st rounder. 2? Last time they did that was for Joey Galloway, I believe? That didn’t go so well. No water gif bc things can always change esp when they seem very motivated this year but 2 1st rounders after restructuring deals and two guys looking to get paid not to mention a lot of holes on defense? Feels a little risky. Just my sense/cents.”