Ravens Acquire Maxx Crosby for Two First-Round Picks to Fix Pass Rush

Baltimore traded 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler with 69.5 career sacks since 2019.

Baltimore acquired five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal was finalized on March 6, 2026, at 11:19 PM ET, shifting the trajectory of a defense that recorded just 30 sacks last season—the third-fewest in the NFL. Crosby, 28, brings a resume featuring 69.5 career sacks since 2019, more than double the 30 produced by Baltimore’s leading pass rusher in that timeframe, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. This transaction addresses a critical deficiency for a Ravens team that failed to make the postseason last year after blowing two double-digit leads during the final period of play.

During a September 2024 matchup, Crosby dominated the Ravens in a 26-23 Raiders upset, recording six tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. One of those takedowns involved the defensive end looping through the middle to flatten quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens are now banking on that production to solve an inability to finish games, as the franchise has blown an NFL-worst 16 leads in the final five minutes over the past five seasons. Crosby’s statistical profile suggests he is the ideal closer; his 22.5 sacks in the closing frame are tied for the fourth-most in the league since 2019. Furthermore, he has recorded 17 tackles for loss in the final five minutes of games over the last seven seasons, the best mark in the NFL.

Financial Impact and Roster Construction

The financial logistics of the deal see Baltimore taking on Crosby’s $30 million salary for 2026 and a $29 million salary for 2027. His cap hit for the Ravens this season is set at $30.695 million. Conversely, the Raiders will save $30.69 million in salary cap space while absorbing roughly $5 million in dead money due to their strategy of avoiding large signing bonuses. This cap flexibility allows Las Vegas general manager John Spytek to be aggressive in free agency, with potential targets including Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who has 28 sacks over five seasons.

General Manager Eric DeCosta signaled this move during the NFL combine in February, stating that a ferocious pass rush was lacking and would be a priority to attack this offseason. The investment marks a departure from Baltimore’s recent strategy of signing veteran edge players like Justin Houston, Jadeveon Clowney, and Kyle Van Noy on shorter deals. Crosby’s durability is a primary asset, as he has played over 94% of his team's defensive snaps for four consecutive seasons. He joins a leadership core that includes safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith, filling a void where no Ravens edge rusher exceeded 4.5 sacks last year.

Rebuilding the Raiders via Draft Capital

For the Raiders, the trade signals a total rebuild following a 3-14 season in 2025 that resulted in the firing of head coach Pete Carroll. Las Vegas currently holds the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming April draft and is expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With the additional draft capital and the No. 14 overall selection, the Raiders have several avenues to replace Crosby’s production or bolster Mendoza’s supporting cast. Draft analyst Matt Miller suggests the team could target Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson or reunite Mendoza with former Indiana teammate Omar Cooper Jr. to improve the offense.

If the Raiders choose to focus on the defensive side with the 14th pick, potential targets include Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor or Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. The organization’s decision to trade Crosby, who turns 29 in August, follows a period of significant instability featuring five head coaches and four general managers during his tenure. Despite receiving a record contract last offseason, Crosby had only appeared in one playoff game since being drafted 106th overall in 2019—a first-round exit in 2021. The relationship reached a breaking point when the team sat him for the final two weeks of the 2025 season, leading to his frustration and eventual departure.

Tactical Fit in Baltimore

Crosby’s arrival is expected to revitalize the "Play like a Raven" identity, a mantra emphasizing high motors and passion. Last year, the defender recorded four sacks in the final 15 minutes alone, a figure that nearly matched the full-season total of any individual Baltimore edge rusher. His ability to disrupt plays across the entire field aligns with the Ravens' need for a defender who can close out games, a role previously held by franchise greats like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs. Under new coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders will move forward without their defensive centerpiece, while the Ravens solidify their status as contenders by securing one of the league's premier defensive players.