Raiders' Maxx Crosby lands in less-than-ideal spot in ranking ahead of 2026 season

The Las Vegas Raiders and edge-rusher Maxx Crosby have been a match made in football heaven for most of his time in Vegas, but it's been awkward lately. 

The Raiders, of course, decided to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, but the deal was a no-go after Crosby failed his physical. So, the Raiders and Crosby are back together and hoping to make magic during the 2026-27 season.

Hoping is the operative word because it's been rough in Vegas lately. Last season, the team ended the regular season 3-14 and last in the AFC West. Turning things around will take a lot, but if anyone can do it, it's Crosby. Now, however, Crosby has landed outside the top three in one of the most high-profile rankings ahead of the 2026 season.

Maxx Crosby lands at No. 4 in ESPN's ranking

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had a tally out on Wednesday naming the best edge-rushers in the NFL before the 2026 season. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts for the list.

The good news is that Crosby is No. 4 on the list, which is very high. But the bad news is that he's down from his highest ranking of No. 2.

"One knock on Crosby: The motor that makes him great creates the threat of wear and tear. He doesn't like to come off the field," Fowler says in the report. "The Ravens had concerns about his surgically repaired knee when they nixed the trade for Crosby in March."

But an AFC executive says that "you're getting a complete body of work with Maxx; he does everything well."

Crosby is still one of the best edge-rushers in the league. Now that he's healthy again, he can hit the field and prove the Ravens made a mistake.