The NFL offseason has already been a busy one, and the league hasn’t even started free agency yet. With free agency set to start March 11, the biggest move of the offseason could even take place before then, and the Baltimore Ravens certainly hope so. That move is Maxx Crosby being traded by the Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore has a chance to be the landing spot for the star defender.
NFL insider Albert Breer recently reported that Crosby is likely to be traded, and that the trade could come as soon as this week. The insider also shared something that is good news for an interested team like the Ravens. According to Breer, Las Vegas is unlikely to land the kind of massive package that the Dallas Cowboys received for Micah Parsons. While it will still take a lot to acquire the perennial Pro Bowler, a trade could ultimately be much cheaper than initially expected.
Ravens could acquire Maxx Crosby with a cheaper trade than expected
Considering that Parsons was sent to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark, just last season, the expectation was that a Crosby trade would look similar. However, Breer points to the Raiders defender’s age and recent health history as the reason why teams should be able to get Crosby for a little cheaper.
"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… [Crosby] has seven NFL seasons under his belt. He ended the past two seasons bound for surgery. Now, no one does more to keep himself physically fit than Crosby. But these factors will all have to be considered."Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated)
This is great news for the Ravens, who have been keeping tabs on Crosby's availability. While the defender may not be at the end of his rookie contract, he’s only turning 29 in August, and still playing elite football. Additionally, the two surgeries he had in the last two offseasons (knee and ankle), were considered to be relatively minor procedures.
That's all to say Maxx Crosby is still an elite player, and if the Ravens can get him for less than two first-round picks and a productive player, Baltimore should absolutely be on the phone trying to make a deal happen.