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For years, Maxx Crosby has been the Las Vegas Raiders‘ pass rush. Now, after another offseason of reshaping the trenches, Las Vegas believes it has finally given him the help he needs.
No. 98 has been the Raiders’ sack leader every season since 2021. Despite missing multiple games last season, no teammate totaled even half of Crosby’s 10 sacks.
The Silver and Black have tried repeatedly to supply “The Condor” with a running mate without success. Chandler Jones, Tyree Wilson and Christian Wilkins all got their shot, and none of them panned out.
This season, though, the front office has invested in the defensive line through multiple avenues. On top of signing Kwity Paye in free agency, Las Vegas also drafted Keyron Crawford in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The botched Baltimore trade benefited the Raiders…
Because Crosby was traded to Baltimore, Las Vegas was left in desperate need of a proven edge rusher, which led to the signing of Paye away from the Indianapolis Colts.
The 28-year-old brings veteran experience, with 30 sacks in five seasons. He has also proven durable, starting at least 15 games in four of those five seasons.
Another offseason addition, or more accurately, a retention, was Malcolm Koonce. The 2021 third-round pick showed flashes of his old self before tearing his ACL. Another full year removed from the injury should set up a resurgence for the young pass rusher.
Keyron Crawford has untapped potential…
The former Auburn Tiger didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school, so he doesn’t carry the same experience as most of his fellow rookies.
That inexperience hasn’t slowed him down much. The future No. 67 overall pick produced immediately, totaling five sacks in his final college season and earning All-SEC honors along the way.
Crawford is an explosive athlete with a twitchy first step, and that gives the defensive line real upside. Depth rushing the passer is exactly what the Raiders have lacked, and now they have options.
The question left to answer: Who emerges as the second-best pass rusher on this Raiders roster?
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