Maxx Crosby trade value leaves Cowboys with zero excuse not to make a move

The NFL trade deadline is just two days away, and it is anyone's guess what the Dallas Cowboys will do. Jerry and Stephen Jones have intimated that they will make at least one deal to help the defense, but the last thing Dallas needs is the defensive equivalent of last year's Jonathan Mingo trade.

Either bring in impact players or don't do anything at all. Don't make a trade for the sake of saving face (saying you made a trade), and then gaslight your fan base through the media. The Joneses have the cap space and draft capital to take some big swings.

Adding Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby would certainly check that box. The Raiders have been adamant that Crosby isn't for sale, but one NFC talent evaluator told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein that the Crosby door is still ajar. They also revealed the potential cost of a Crosby blockbuster.

“I still think for the right price, Crosby could be on the move,” the evaluator said. “First and a pick swap, most likely.”

Cowboys should spam the Raiders with phone calls about Maxx Crosby

Of course, just because one NFC talent evaluator believes Crosby can be had for a first-round pick and a pick swap doesn’t mean that’s his actual value. But it does suggest Crosby’s sticker price might be far lower than what the rest of the NFL world has been expecting.

A lot of Cowboys fans had made peace that Crosby would cost two first-round picks. That could still be what it takes to pry the 28-year-old from owner Mark Davis and head coach Pete Carroll's clutches.

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Crosby is the face of the franchise and the most vocal leader in the locker room. Yet for whatever reason, the Raiders refuse to commit to a full rebuild, even after hiring 74-year-old Pete Carroll, trading for veteran quarterback Geno Smith, and using the No. 6 pick on running back Ashton Jeanty. They’ve arguably got the worst offensive line in the NFL, and their defense needs help at every position except edge rusher.

Las Vegas is 2-6 on the season, and its -77 points differential is fourth-worst in the NFL. That is despicable for a team that was widely expected to fight for a playoff berth. Even in a down year for the AFC, it is painfully obvious the Silver and Black are still a year or two away from competing. A smart team would accept its reality and tear it down.

We'll know by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday what the Raiders decide to do, but Jerry Jones should spam them with phone calls about Crosby until then. Throwing in a second first-round pick might nudge them toward acceptance, but if Jones can get out of dodge with only one first and a pick swap, there's no excuse not to bring Crosby to DFW.

It's one of the easiest decisions Jones will ever make, but we know the 83-year-old has a penchant for confusing no-brainers with brain surgery.