HOT TAKES: Maxx Crosby a Raven

I am shocked that the Ravens gave up two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby. Love the player though and I think his addition does more than add a dominant pass rusher. He’s outstanding against the run and since 2019 he leads all NFL defensive linemen in Tackles-For-Loss with 133.

Maxx Crosby among all defensive linemen since 2019, when he entered the NFL:

#1 in tackles for loss (133)
#1 in solo tackles (277)
#2 in QB pressures (431)
#2 in QB hits (119)
#3 in total tackles (437)
#4 in batted passes (20)
#5 in sacks (69.5)

traded to the Baltimore Ravens pic.twitter.com/3ZtSAO6tkc

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 7, 2026

Crosby makes the entire defense better. Look for more from Travis Jones as a pass rusher given the attention Maxx will command. And if Nnamdi Madubuike returns as his cryptic tweets suggest, it could limit opposing offenses who may be forced to use more two-tight end sets and hold back more potential receivers in pass pro. More turnovers, more fourth quarter stops, and a more playoff ready team are the results.

I don’t know who needs to see this today, but here’s 24 minutes of mad Maxx Crosby being the game changer the Ravens could only dream of!

The Condor is a now a Raven pic.twitter.com/lctuIKldEJ

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) March 7, 2026

But for now, this is just speculative prognostication based upon what we know today. Time will tell if Crosby is worth the price, which we now know is the team’s first round picks in 2026 and 2027. The Ravens generally draft in the mid to late 20’s. Here are their last eight 1st-Round picks, all since 2020.

• Malaki Starks (27)
• Nate Wiggins (30)
• Zay Flowers (22)
• Kyle Hamilton (14)
• Tyler Linderbaum (25)
• Rashod Bateman (27)
• Odafe Oweh (31)
• Patrick Queen (28)

If you believe that Crosby helps to get the Ravens back to the divisional round, that equates to a 2027 late-first round pick (25+); conference championship round (29+). Looking back at these drafted players above, coupled with this year’s foregone No. 14 pick, helps put a face on the draft capital EDC sacrificed for Maxx.

There’s nothing in the 2026 NFL Draft close to Maxx Crosby. He’s a premier edge defender with multiple years of prime football in front of him. This year’s No. 14 overall pick is more than offset by the acquisition of Crosby. Next season, the Ravens should have the draft capital to move back into the first round if needed, given the expected losses of free agents who should land them some decent comp picks. But that’s a next year problem to overcome. This year’s No. 14 has been addressed.

The trade becomes official on March 11, 2026. But there is a problem. For the moment, the trade puts the Ravens at $20M over the cap unless there is some offset of salary cap liability provided by the Raiders in the trade that hasn’t yet been disclosed. But if the offset doesn’t exist, the Ravens must make a move or more to be in cap compliance on March 11. The team can’t restructure Crosby’s deal until the new year begins but when it does begin, GM Eric DeCosta and his salary cap bean counters must figure out a way to be cap compliant when the bell tolls signaling the new league year. This dangling issue that as of this writing must be solved within the next 4 days, could signal that an extension for Lamar Jackson is already done in principle.

Clearly that’s speculation but it makes sense. Then, come Wednesday, the Ravens could convert Crosby’s 2026 salary to a bonus, amortize it over the remainder of his contract which runs through 2029 and drop his cap number to roughly $7.7M down from $30.7M.

Next week will be a big one for the Ravens – particularly EDC. By March 11 they could have Crosby restructured, Lamar on a new deal, more optimism for Madubuike’s return and a couple of free agent signings to boot.

Nnamdi Madubuike in the lab! pic.twitter.com/Egk14U2tSb

— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) March 7, 2026

One day, one week, could alter the Ravens future in a positive way without stepping onto the field. And I’m here for it.

You?

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/03/07/tltakes/maxx-crosby-to-the-ravens/