Since hiring Jesse Minter, the Baltimore Ravens have openly been focused on winning the Super Bowl. They doubled down on this mindset on Friday by trading two first-round picks (this year's and next year's) for Maxx Crosby. Notably, this marked the first time in franchise history that the Ravens traded a first-round pick for a veteran. Moreover, the Ravens were the only team willing to push all their chips in by trading two first-round picks for Crosby.
Undoubtedly, this level of aggression for a player of Crosby's caliber is worth it, and it's a clear all-in move. When you have a player as talented as Lamar Jackson, these are the types of moves you have to make to maximize your Super Bowl chances, especially given how poor the Ravens' pass rush performed last year. Likewise, this underscores Eric DeCosta's confidence in the team.
Following a dreadful 8-9 season, Ravens fans were understandably questioning how much the organization was committed to winning at the highest level. It's safe to say these questions have been answered and then some.
With a move like this, the expectation is clearly to win the Super Bowl.
Maxx Crosby will be a game-changing presence for the Baltimore Ravens' defense
Last season, the Ravens' inability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks was central to their shortcomings. Baltimore recorded just 30 total sacks, which ranked 30th in the league, and they ranked 28th in pressure rate. This lack of pressure often led to big plays as opposing QBs had all day to throw.
Crosby will certainly change this in a big way. He is one of the best edge rushers in the league, recording double-digit sacks in three of the past four seasons.
Mad Maxx has also generated at least 29 pressures in each season, with a career-best of 50 pressures two seasons ago. Considering this and Minter's new system, the Ravens should have no problems generating pressure. He also gives the fierce mindset that the Ravens have prided themselves on throughout their history.
Crosby's presence will free up just about everyone on the Ravens' front seven. However, second-year linebacker Mike Green will perhaps be the biggest beneficiary of Crosby's gravity. Roquan Smith, Tavius Robinson, and Travis Jones are three other players who will clearly benefit from playing alongside Crosby. Additionally, if Nnamdi Madubuike returns, the Ravens will have two stellar pass rushers.
By all accounts, it's easy to see Crosby helping lead the Ravens defense back to their elite standards. Ultimately, he could be the missing piece for Baltimore to get over the Super Bowl hump.
The Ravens still need to improve to reach their Super Bowl aspirations
As excited as I am about this move, it's important to acknowledge the Ravens still have an imperfect roster. The two main flaws are interior offensive line and wide receiver depth. Thankfully, the Ravens are proving that they are willing to do whatever it takes to fill these roster holes.
Re-signing Tyler Linderbaum is a clear priority, but trading for Crosby makes this possibility even more complicated. If the Ravens are unable to sign Linderbaum, they'll have to find an adequate replacement in free agency. Upgrading the guard spots, in free agency and/or the draft, is another strong possibility.
Zay Flowers is coming off a career season, but the Ravens are too dependent on him. Notably, he had 789 more yards than the next leading receiver. Whether it's in free agency, the draft, or even another trade, the Ravens must find a way to bolster their WR depth.
While these problems still exist, the Ravens have proven that we should expect big moves this offseason, and trading for Crosby proves they're willing to do whatever it takes to bring a Super Bowl back to Baltimore.