Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
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(Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders appear content to keep Maxx Crosby after the trade to the Baltimore Ravens fell through this offseason due to a failed physical. Nonetheless, with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching at the end of April, the Silver and Black will likely receive calls regarding Crosby.
Last season with the Raiders,Crosby posted a 79.7 overall PFF defensive grade. His 77.1 pass-rush grade ranked 20th among 115 qualified edge defenders, while his 78.7 mark against the run placed 11th at the position.
Moreover, he totaled 53 pressures, including 10 sacks, 31 hurries, and 12 quarterback hits. Crosby also made 46 solo tackles and forced one fumble over the course of the season.
Although the Raiders are happy to have this production back, other teams wouldalso want it. As a result,ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote in an April 6 article about a trade idea involving the Philadelphia Eagles and Crosby.
As part of this idea, the Raiders would receive the No. 23 overall pick, a 2027 third-round selection, and edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. Meanwhile, the Eagles would get Crosby.
“Though Crosby is saying that he wants to move forward with the only pro organization he has ever known after his trade to the Ravens fell through, the same logic that led the Raidersto initially deal Crosby to Baltimore still holds,” Barnwell wrote.
“Vegas doesn’t appear to be close to seriously contending. Crosby turns 29 in August. He wants to win, ideally sooner rather than later. That might happen in Vegas, but by the time it does, Crosby could be well past his peak.”
Raiders Would Still Get Valuable Draft Picks in Return
Moreover, Barnwell explains, while the Raiders wouldn’t be getting the reported two first-round picks like they would have received in the Ravens deal, the Silver and Black would get valuable draft capital.
“The Raiders wouldn’t land two first-round picks or get as high a first-rounder as the one theywere set to receive from Baltimore, but this would be a reasonable return,” Barnwell wrote. “Las Vegas could use the 23rd pick on a wide receiver who fits Mendoza’s timeline better, such as Omar Cooper Jr., who was the quarterback’s teammate at Indiana.
“The Raiders would land a third-round pick in next year’s draft, although the Eagles probably wouldn’t be sending a selection in the upper half of the round to Vegas here.”
Why the Eagles Would Want to Trade Nolan Smith Jr.?
Meanwhile, as for Smith, Barnwell believes that his time in Philadelphia could be coming to an end, and the Eagles could use him as a trade piece, as it doesn’t seem the team would be willing to pay him long-term.
“The Raiders would also add Smith, who would step into their edge rotation as a replacement for the departed Crosby,” Barnwell added. “Smith has had an up-and-down tenure after being drafted in the first round by the Eagles. He didn’t seem to fit in the defense as a rookie before racking up 10.5 sacks between the regular season and postseason in Year 2.
“Smith seemed on the cusp of a 2025 breakout but managed only three sacks in 11 games during a season impacted by atorn triceps. I’m sure Roseman and the Eagles still have high hopes for Smith, but with the 25-year-old’s fifth-year-option decision coming this spring, this might be a natural time to consider a move.”