Ravens Insider: Instant analysis of Ravens’ trade for Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby

[ExtremeRavens]

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens agreed to trade two first-round draft picks for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby:

Brian Wacker, reporter

Eric DeCosta is going for it.

For a man who values draft picks the way a farmer values good dirt, the Ravens general manager swung for the fences with a blockbuster deal to acquire superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

Just how big a deal was it? Never before has Baltimore shipped a first-round pick in exchange for a player. Friday night, they agreed in principle to send two of them (this year’s 14th overall and next year’s first-round pick) for the kind of bona fide, difference-making pass rusher the Ravens haven’t had since Terrell Suggs. But with a draft class lacking elite talent, DeCosta viewed it as a worthy gamble for a player who has 69 1/2 sacks, including four seasons of at least 10, and will turn just 29 in August.

That deal, along with more encouraging signs from injured defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, could be a major boost to a defense that often couldn’t find the quarterback with a map last season. Baltimore was once a feared defense and only three years ago became the first team to capture the defensive triple crown of sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Now, perhaps it’s on its way to recapturing its glory days.

Mike Preston, columnist

The Ravens became serious contenders again.

A season ago, they had no pass rush, which made a shaky secondary look even worse. General manager Eric DeCosta made a deal to bring in Maxx Crosby, one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, to a team that only had 30 sacks a year ago.

Is it a gamble? Yes, but executives take gambles when they believe they are close to winning a championship. The Ravens have to give up first-round picks in April and next season, but it’s worth the risk. The team has made a coaching change at the top, which was necessary, and the Ravens solved their biggest weakness of the offseason by trading for Crosby.

It still seems surreal because this is a team that loves to build through the draft, but it’s time to forget about the storied past, a team that had won two Super Bowl titles in its first 30 years in Baltimore. It’s what has this team done lately, and the Ravens didn’t even make the playoffs last season. The Ravens have a different mindset now, and they were aggressive in agreeing to terms with Crosby. If they get defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike back (if he can remain healthy) and outside linebacker Mike Green gets better because of Crosby, this defense should be much improved for the 2026 season.

Josh Tolentino, columnist

Turns out, Lamar Jackson knew a big move was indeed coming.

The Ravens took a major step toward fixing one of their most glaring issues late Friday evening by acquiring star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Still considered in his prime entering his age-29 season, Crosby immediately elevates a defense that finished with just 30 sacks in 2025, the third fewest in the NFL.

Crosby had 10 sacks and two forced fumbles last season despite missing the final two games, and he’s posted 17 career games with multiple sacks. Crosby’s relentless motor and ability to win one-on-one off the edge – he’s also a plus defender in the run game – instantly gives the Ravens a proven difference-maker. Crosby has played in 110 career games, but only one playoff game. Now in Baltimore, the five-time Pro Bowler will aspire to help get the Ravens back to the playoffs after the franchise suffered two years of postseason regression.

The jaw-dropping acquisition should also serve as a significant boost for first-year coach Jesse Minter, who now has a premier edge rusher in Crosby to build around as he reshapes the defense. Minter helped engineer a defensive turnaround during his two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Crosby provides the type of disruptive presence that can help anchor Minter’s system with fellow star Kyle Hamilton in the secondary. Crosby joins an edge group that features second-year player Mike Green and Tavius Robinson (eight combined sacks in 2025).

There is still plenty of work ahead for the Ravens with the NFL’s legal tampering period beginning Monday, but the trade signals urgency from general manager Eric DeCosta after owner Steve Bisciotti fired longtime John Harbaugh at the end of last season.

Sam Cohn, reporter

This is a night worth rejoicing for those with a vested interest in Baltimore’s immediate Super Bowl aspirations. The loudest portions of the fan base have spent years dreaming — at times, pipe-dreaming — of this deal. And Eric DeCosta finally made his move, sending an unprecedented two first-round picks for an immediate positional fix.

The Ravens were among the worst pass-rushing teams in 2025, down from historic runs over the two previous seasons. DeCosta didn’t shy away from that fact, saying at the combine, “We certainly know that we have to augment the pass rush and improve there.” New coach Jesse Minter called it “always a position that you’re looking for more.”

Crosby brings the kind of gravitas the Ravens needed on the edge. He’s registered four double-digit sack seasons. Shortly before the deal was announced, a social media post showed All-Pro defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike working out, meaning that the Ravens could be in for a menacing pass-rush duo.

It’s not hyperbole to call this the most significant trade in Ravens history — they’ve never dealt a first-round pick in 31 years. They mean business.

C.J. Doon, editor

If the Ravens end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February, this will be a day to remember.

What started with Lamar Jackson’s cryptic “Training Day” post ended with Nnamdi Madubuike sharing a workout video and the earth-shattering news (in NFL circles) that Maxx Crosby was headed to Baltimore.

For as good as Crosby is and can still be as he enters his eighth NFL season, it’s still shocking to see Baltimore giving up first-round picks in back-to-back drafts. The Ravens have long prided themselves on being a “draft and develop” operation, which becomes even more important when a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is taking up a significant amount of salary-cap space. But no rookie was going to deliver what Crosby can in 2026, and Jackson isn’t getting any younger.

On the other hand, Crosby comes with some risk. He dealt with a knee injury that required surgery last year, and he turns 29 in August. If he’s not his usual Pro Bowl self, this trade will be extremely costly. But the Ravens had to try something to fix their dormant pass rush, and what better time than now with a new coach who’s heralded as a defensive wizard?

There are still holes to fix on this roster, namely the three interior spots on the offensive line. This move seems to rule out center Tyler Linderbaum coming back, given how expensive his next deal is expected to be once he hits the open market. Adding another pass catcher should be a priority. Jackson still needs to agree to an extension or a restructure to limit his cap hit.

But for now, fans should celebrate. The Ravens are going for it.

Bennett Conlin, editor

Do you think Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is feeling the pressure to win now? So much for building entirely through the draft, as Baltimore takes a massive swing to improve its mediocre pass rush.

Crosby plays with an intensity that fits the franchise’s mold and produces at a level needed for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Jesse Minter’s calling card is defense, and now he has Kyle Hamilton and Crosby as chess pieces. That’ll work.

It’s extremely exciting on paper, and the trade should make the Ravens a much better team. Strengthening the offensive line is the next step. Figure out the interior of the offensive front, and fans should expect a Super Bowl.

If the Ravens can’t win a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson, Hamilton and Crosby, it’d be a crying shame.

Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. 

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