Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby has emerged as one of the names to watch this offseason, because he could be traded away from Vegas before the start of next season. The Dallas Cowboys are one of several teams keeping a close eye on his situation, and they recently received some good news on a possible trade.
NFL insider Albert Breer recently shared that a Crosby trade is likely, and that it may happen as soon as this week. The good news for an interested suitor like Dallas is that the package to acquire the star defender may not be as expensive as everyone initially thought it would. According to Breer, the Raiders are unlikely to receive the kind of package that Dallas got for Micah Parsons.
While it will still take a considerable amount to get a deal done, the combination of Crosby’s age and recent injury history will likely lead to a smaller package than normal for an elite edge defender.
“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."
The Dallas Cowboys may be able to afford a Maxx Crosby trade after all
In August, Dallas traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Since Crosby emerged in trade conversations, the NFL world has been predicting that he would go for a similar package, because like Parsons, he’s one of the league’s best edge defenders.
However, Crosby turns 29 in August, and as Breer pointed out, had a knee surgery this offseason and an ankle procedure last offseason.
While both were considered relatively minor surgeries, the veteran defender isn’t a young player at the end of his rookie contract. He's getting up there in age, and he's not as durable as he was early in his career.
With that said, Crosby is still playing at an elite level and should continue to do so in the coming years provided he stays healthy. That's precisely why the Cowboys should be interested in acquiring him, as he'd significantly elevate a defense that is starved for pass rush reinforcements.
Not only that, but Dallas has the resources to pull off a trade. With three first-round picks over the next two drafts, the front office's biggest concern would be making room for Crosby's contract.
They can't keep inheriting top-of-the-market contracts, but making an exception for a player of Crosby's caliber may be necessary if they are serious about winning a Super Bowl with Dak Prescott still playing at a high level.