Blogging The Boys
It’s the Maxx Crosby trade debate, part deux! Yes, that’s right, we’ve been through this before, as this was first discussed when it was believed that the Las Vegas Raiders defensive end could be on the block before the trade deadline. The Raiders quickly jumped in and said they had no interest in shipping off their star edge rusher, crushing the hopes and dreams of Cowboys Nation. Soon thereafter, the Cowboys traded for star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and suddenly, fans were happy again. That’s the effect of landing a shiny new toy on the defensive line.
Fast forward to now, and once again, Crosby is in the news as the Raiders decided to shut him down. He was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2025 season, as Vegas sets its sights on other goals, specifically, securing the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are 2-14 and in the lead for the worst record in the NFL. Crosby wasn’t thrilled about the Raiders’ decision to shut him down and decided to leave the facility. This has again triggered many to suggest that his days in the desert could be coming to an end. And if the Raiders are contemplating trading him, you better believe the Dallas Cowboys will be mentioned as a potential suitor. Sports betting sites already have the Cowboys listed as having the best odds to acquire him in a trade.
The idea of having Crosby is certainly fun to entertain. The Cowboys desperately need a talented edge rusher after parting ways with both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence this past offseason. Both, ironically, made the Pro Bowl for the NFC this season. And there is no denying that Crosby is a talented player. He also made the Pro Bowl, but for the AFC team, as he has now earned that honor for five consecutive seasons.
Crosby is a great talent, but the cost of obtaining him is just too steep. For starters, he’ll require some premium draft capital that could be as high as two first-round picks. The Cowboys, after the Parsons trade, had four first-round picks between 2026 and 2027, but dealt one of the 2027 first-rounders away to get Williams from the Jets, leaving them with three. Trading for Crosby could bring that total down to just one.
The problem with this is that the Cowboys need that draft capital. They have a plethora of defensive needs, not just acquiring an edge rusher. They need help at cornerback, linebacker, and safety as well. In fact, the Cowboys should be looking to use one of their 2026 first-rounders and trade back in exchange for multiple picks. Trading quality for quantity should be what they’re looking to do, not the other way around.
Two picks for Crosby are risky. He’ll be 29 years old next season, and he’s starting to show some signs of wear. Last year, he dealt with an ankle injury throughout the season and was finally shut down in December,...
