Buccaneers have big reason to be glad that Raiders-Ravens Maxx Crosby trade fell apart

It turns out that the Baltimore Ravens backing out of their agreement to acquire Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby for two first-round draft picks could ultimately benefit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for years to come. 

As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk explained, Raiders general manager John Spytek would have landed the 14th overall pick in this year's draft had the trade gone through. Thus, Las Vegas could have spent that asset to grab Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. before Bain was able to fall to the Buccaneers at pick No. 15. 

Instead, the Ravens held onto that choice and used it to select guard Vega Ioane. During a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht detailed how things played out for everyone involved this offseason. 

Why Buccaneers' Jason Licht was "nervous" throughout the Raiders-Ravens Maxx Crosby trade saga

"I’d like to think [it] helped us a little bit," Licht said about the Ravens pulling out of the trade for Crosby after he reportedly failed a physical for reasons related to a meniscus repair he needed this past winter. "I was a little afraid if the Raiders made that trade, Spytek, he and I are very close, he was taunting me a little bit. 'Hey, we’re sitting right in front of you. I know what you need.' And then, you know, Crosby goes back to the Raiders, then the Ravens are sitting there again with their pick, and I know they love their edge-rushers, too, so that had me nervous." 

The Ravens quickly pivoted in March, as they signed former Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112M contract that reportedly included $60M in fully guaranteed money and could be worth up to $120M. Thus, Baltimore was able to select Ioane at pick No. 14 and leave Bain for the Buccaneers at selection No. 15. 

Buccaneers' Jason Licht is thankful the Raiders made this decision

Also in March, the Raiders signed former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum to a big-money deal. Linderbaum's departure left Baltimore needing some help for its offensive line this spring. 

"[The Ravens] took Vega, which is an awesome pick, you know, they need offensive linemen," Licht continued. "Maybe the fact that the Raiders signed Lindbaum helped us get Rueben. We’re all trying to help each other out here, especially the people that are good friends, so thanks, Spytek." 

People within the Buccaneers are clearly high on what Bain could achieve after he slid to the draft's 15th pick. Of course, one can only guess what would have happened regarding Tampa Bay's draft plans had the Ravens gone through with the Crosby trade.