Maxx Crosby Traded to Ravens in Major Defensive Shakeup
The Baltimore Ravens acquire All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby in a blockbuster trade, adding one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers to their defense.
3/7/20262 min read
The Baltimore Ravens acquired edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Baltimore’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 14 overall) and Baltimore’s 2027 first-round pick, according to multiple reports.¹ The transaction addresses a pass-rush deficiency for Baltimore while providing Las Vegas with significant draft capital entering the next two offseasons.
Crosby arrives after another productive season in 2025. He finished the year with 73 total tackles, 10 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and six passes defended, maintaining the level of disruption that has defined his career since entering the league in 2019.² Over seven seasons with Las Vegas, Crosby accumulated 69.5 career sacks and 133 tackles for loss, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent edge defenders.²
Baltimore’s defensive production in 2025 helps explain the acquisition. The Ravens finished the season 24th in total defense and recorded 30 sacks, totals that ranked near the bottom of the league and highlighted the need for additional pressure from the defensive front.³ Crosby’s ability to generate pressure without heavy reliance on blitz schemes provides structural support for a defense attempting to increase four-man rush efficiency.
The move also aligns with Baltimore’s roster timeline around quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson threw for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns in 13 games during the 2025 season, adding 349 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while remaining the central figure in Baltimore’s offense.⁴
For Las Vegas, the trade expands draft resources during a rebuilding phase. The Raiders finished 3–14 in 2025 and now enter the 2026 NFL Draft holding the No. 1 overall selection along with No. 14 overall from Baltimore, in addition to their own second-round pick at No. 36.⁵ The additional first-round selection provides flexibility as the organization restructures its roster and evaluates quarterback options at the top of the draft.
Notes
1. Reuters. “Ravens acquire Maxx Crosby from Raiders for two first-round picks.”
https://www.reuters.com/sports/
2. Pro-Football-Reference. Maxx Crosby career statistics and 2025 season totals.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CrosMa00.htm
3. NFL.com. Baltimore Ravens team defensive statistics, 2025 season.
https://www.nfl.com/stats/team-stats/
4. Pro-Football-Reference. Lamar Jackson 2025 season statistics.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackLa00.htm
5. ESPN. 2026 NFL Draft order projections and team selections.
