Maxx Crosby and Lamar Jackson
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A "very interesting" Maxx Crosby statistic justifies the Baltimore Ravens trading two first-round draft picks for the All-Pro pass-rusher.
One “very interesting” statistic justifies the Baltimore Ravens sending two NFL draft picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby.
The Ravens made history by agreeing a narrative-shifting deal on Friday, March 6. It was a bold trade that went against the grain of how the Ravens usually construct their rosters, but key numbers make sense of general manager Eric DeCosta swinging for the fences.
A “very interesting nugget” was explained by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis. He noted how “among 70 players with 10+ sacks the last 2 years… Maxx Crosby played with a lead on just 22% of his snaps #70 out of 70 players Meanwhile, the Ravens have played with a lead on 43% of defensive snaps the last 2 years #7 of 32 teams MANY more pass rush opportunities as opponents play from behind vs Baltimore for Crosby in 2026 and beyond.”
Warren Sharp
VERY interesting nugget regarding Maxx Crosby:
among 70 players with 10+ sacks the last 2 years…
Maxx Crosby played with a lead on just 22% of his snaps
#70 out of 70 players
Meanwhile, the Ravens have played with a lead on 43% of defensive snaps the last 2 years
#7 of 32
The implication of these numbers are clear. One of the NFL’s most prolific quarterback hunters has landed in Baltimore, where he’ll get to rush the passer more often than he did with the Silver and Black.
It’s a potentially game-changing switch for a Ravens defense that generated only modest heat on the pocket last season. Fortunately, another key stat reveals why Crosby is the upgrade this team has lacked for too long, and why DeCosta parting with premium draft capital was actually a calculated risk.
Maxx Crosby Instantly Changes History for Ravens
Logging a mere 30 sacks a season ago was ample proof the Ravens needed a bluechip edge-rusher. Somebody capable of collecting sacks in double digits.
The Ravens have rarely had one of those in recent times, with ESPN’s Jamison Hensley pointing out “Crosby has produced four double-digit sack seasons in his 7-year career. Over that span, the Ravens have had two edge rushers with 10 or more sacks in a season: Kyle Van Noy (12.5 in 2024) and Odafe Oweh (10 in 2024). Game-changer.”
Jamison Hensley
New Ravens pass-rusher Maxx Crosby has produced four double-digit sack seasons in his 7-year career.
Over that span, the Ravens have had two edge rushers with 10 or more sacks in a season: Kyle Van Noy (12.5 in 2024) and Odafe Oweh (10 in 2024).
Game-changer.
Adding Crosby turns the page for the Ravens. It means they are bucking recent history of trusting their ability to create pressure to untested draft picks like Mike Green and David Ojabo.
That plan always promised more than it delivered, but Crosby boasts a career CV the Ravens can trust, even though their faith has come at a heavy cost.
Eric DeCosta Can Justify Trade Price
Turning to a proven commodity over untested potential isn’t the only reason the Ravens can justify what they gave up to get Crosby. DeCosta also needed to send a message.
The message first goes to franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s on deck for a lucrative contract extension, and the trade for Crosby shows No. 8 the Ravens are serious about winning a championship sooner rather than later.
Crosby’s arrival now puts the onus on Jackson to sign up and deliver on the field in the biggest games. Similar pressure to deliver also extends to DeCosta, who was retained in the front office, even after longtime head coach John Harbaugh was let go after last season’s failure to make the playoffs.
Helping Harbaugh’s replacement, rookie Jesse Minter, get off to a winning start will only endorse DeCosta keeping his job. Which explains why the GM upped the ante in trade discussions with the Raiders, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting “The#Cowboys and a few other teams were in it to the end. But when Baltimore went to two first-rounders, that sealed it.”
The Ravens going all in reveals a sense of urgency about bolstering the roster with marquee talent where it’s needed most. Putting Crosby in place has already fixed the biggest problem.