Looking at 6 mock trade offers for Maxx Crosby: Las Vegas Raiders make unconventional deal and receive two first round picks and defensive starter

There is reason to believe Crosby won’t get traded. Besides the fact that we hear this every single offseason, that was the old coaching staff, and a new staff is set to be on its way to Vegas. Now, Crosby could still hold that grudge and could be upset at the front office, too. No one really knows how this will play out, but to have a little fun, we created six potential trades for the Raiders.

Let’s go over every trade that six of our writers at A to Z Sports sent in, and pick which one is the best for the Raiders. Of course, these are hypothetical and for fun, so take everything with a grain of salt.

Hypothetical and potential trades for Maxx Crosby

Los Angeles Rams offer, via Rob Gregson

Raiders receive: Byron Young, 2026 1st-round pick (No. 13)
Rams receive: Maxx Crosby, 2027 3rd-round pick

The Los Angeles Rams already feature one of the best defensive fronts in football, but if Les Snead and Sean McVay have shown anything over the years, it's that they aim to build upon their strengths. In this trade scenario, the Rams give the Raiders Byron Young, who is slated to hit free agency next offseason, and a 2026 first-round pick in return for Crosby and a 2027 3rd-round pick.

If that price seems steep, remember, the Rams have two first-rounders in this upcoming class. If you think they are losing value on the player aspect, not only are Young and Crosby not in the same stratosphere as rushmen, Crosby is only a year older than Young, and his contract, assuming he doesn't want to re-do it, is more than fair given the inflation at the position this past offseason. I see no world where the Rams don't try to push the envelope, especially with their draft capital and Matthew Stafford's career coming to a close. This move could bring them over the top, and it gives Vegas a hefty haul while sending Crosby to the other conference.

Chicago Bears offer, via Kole Noble

Raiders receive: DJ Moore, 2026 1st-round pick (No. 25), 2027 2nd-round pick
Bears receive: Maxx Crosby

Giving up two first-round picks is going to be a tough pill for Bears general manager Ryan Poles to swallow, and he's already been on record stating that he didn't want to make any rash decisions that severely impact the long-term future of the team. This, to me, is the very most I would give up for Crosby. It's not quite the haul that the Cowboys got for Micah Parsons, but it's worth noting that Parsons was a younger and healthier player when he was traded to the Packers.

Instead of getting two first-round picks, the Raiders still come away with a second first-round pick in 2026 and an extra second-round pick in 2027 while giving Fernando Mendoza, the expected first overall pick, a true WR1 to work with early in his career. The Bears can save $16.5 million by trading Moore and then can immediately use those savings to take on the remainder of Crosby's deal. The Bears get their immediate X-factor to be a true Super Bowl contender, and the Raiders get value assets for the short and long-term future.

New England Patriots offer, via Wendell Ferreira

Raiders receive: 2026 1st-round pick (No. 31 or 32), 2027 4th-round pick
Patriots receive: Maxx Crosby, 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 67)

Dianna Russini reported that Crosby wants to play for Mike Vrabel, and the Patriots have more than $40 million in projected cap space, so there's more than enough room to make the deal happen.
Under Eliot Wolf and now Vrabel, the Patriots have been willing to take risks with veteran players, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and Crosby offers the perfect combination of high-level performance, character, and potential for high snapcounts to justify the investment.
The Patriots are already a competitive team, but you can argue that they overachieved in 2025. Adding such a talented piece is the perfect way of battling regression.

Dallas Cowboys offer, via Mauricio Rodriguez

Raiders receive: 2026 1st-round pick (No. 20), 2027 1st-round pick, DT Osa Odighizuwa.
Cowboys receive: Maxx Crosby, 2026 4th-round pick selection (No. 1o2)

Last year, Jay Glazer reported the Dallas Cowboys made trade inquiries about Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson before making a move for DT Quinnen Williams. But to make a move for Crosby in 2026 would imply a genuine all-in mentality; One that would ask them to make only one pick in the first three rounds of this year's NFL Draft and to wait for two full rounds in 2027 before making a selection.

But let's say Dallas does want to push all the chips into the center of the table this time, only to make the most of Dak Prescott playing his best football. Spending on getting Crosby and securing George Pickens are the two expensive but impactful moves that feel as close to a "safe bet" as they'll get if they want to be Super Bowl contenders in 2026. Ironically, this would be a very similar trade to the Packers' one for Parsons, as they'd be sending two first-rounders and a high-end defensive tackle in Osa Odighizuwa, who is a productive pass rusher from the interior.

Philadelphia Eagles offer, via Adam Holt

Raiders receive: 2026 1st-round pick (No. 23), 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 68), 2027 2nd-round pick, 2027 4th-round pick
Eagles receive: Maxx Crosby

Philadelphia is the perfect sort of team to take this swing. Vic Fangio has already considered retirement, and it took the Eagles convincing him to return for him to reportedly lean back that way since the season ended. With a potential “final run” coming next season from the veteran defensive coordinator, the Eagles should feel a bit of pressure to make an aggressive addition. Crosby fits that bill as an elite edge rusher and locker room leader.

The Eagles can look at this year’s draft class and know that the “blue chip” options are limited, and a pick in the 20’s may not net them a player who can make a major impact in year one. Now, add in the fact that they hold multiple third-round picks, and we can see an intriguing offer begin to come together. I’d want to hold onto their 2027 first-round pick if possible, but packaging together next year’s 2nd and 4th seems fair. For the Eagles, the pressure is only going to continue to mount as next season looms. This sort of trade could make a Super Bowl-caliber difference for them.

Minnesota Vikings offer, via Tyler Forness

Raiders receive: Jonathan Greenard, 2026 1st-round pick (No. 18) and 2027 3rd-round pick
Vikings receive: Maxx Crosby

The Vikings don't need to add an outside pass rusher to the roster, but there is another factor at play: teams in Minnesota are making massive acquisitions. The Timberwolves are on the cusp of adding Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the United FC is about to add a top 100 FIFA player in the world. The PR with the Vikings is at an all-time low right now, and getting fan excitement back could be a big factor in a move like this happening. Public relations can drive a move for a player like Crosby, who would be an upgrade over Greenard, but it isn't worth the price unless you consider outside factors.

The trade the Raiders should accept

If I’m the GM of the Raiders, which I would never be qualified to be, I’m picking the offer from the Cowboys. Are you telling me the Raiders can get two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby? That’s a great deal, and they get a starter on the defensive line to replace him, even though he is a three-technique pass rusher. This helps keep something on the defensive line, and now Vegas can also better build around Fernando Mendoza to Klint Kubiak’s liking. And, they get a chance at getting a cornerstone player in next year's class, which could be even better.

Some of these other trades offered too many picks for 2026, which Vegas already has ten. Adding the extra first-rounder would put them at eleven, and that’s really too many picks for a team that’s rebuilding and plans to spend around $88 million in free agency, too. Then again, there’s a reason I’m not a GM. This also does what the Raiders are known for doing back in the old days, when everyone respected them as a franchise when it came to dealing players away. It sends Crosby somewhere he likely wants to go, and to Tom Brady and John Spytek, that is important. This would be a home run trade for Vegas.