The Detroit Lions have improved nearly every aspect of their defense over the last few years, building a once bottom-dwelling squad into Super Bowl contenders.
But while one of the biggest additions was No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions have struggled to add a competent counterpart to their star edge rusher. One insider suggests Detroit could cover that need at the upcoming trade deadline, taking aim at one of the best players in the game.
Maxx Crosby Named a Potential Trade Deadline Target
Reporter Christian Romo of the Detroit Free Press broke down the team’s potential targets at the upcoming NFL trade deadline, naming Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby as a dark-horse candidate.
Romo noted that Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggested the Lions could land Crosby for a massive package of draft picks that includes two first-rounders. While Romo noted that the trade would remain unlikely, stranger things have happened this NFL season.
“It’s unclear if the Lions would be willing to give up that much for Crosby, or even if the Raiders would be willing to part with Crosby in the first place,” Romo wrote. “But with edge rusher Micah Parsons having already moved from the Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers before the season began, anything seems possible.”
Raiders Turned Down One Maxx Crosby Trade
The Raiders don’t appear willing to part ways with their star edge rusher — at least not at the proposed prices so far. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that the Dallas Cowboys made an offer both for Crosby and for another star edge rusher, but were turned down both times.
“Dallas is trying. They’ve actually called around,” Glazer said Sunday. “They called the Raiders for Maxx Crosby, was told no. They called the Bengals for Trey Hendrickson, was told no. They are calling around for help on defense.”
The denial could have come from Crosby himself. NFL.com reporter Grant Gordon reported that Crosby let the team know he doesn’t want to be moved.
“Though the Las Vegas Raiders are mired in last place in the AFC West with just two wins through seven weeks, defensive end Maxx Crosby isn’t looking to move on and neither is the franchise,” Gordon reported. “The Raiders and Crosby met Tuesday, with the team conveying it was not shopping him nor would it trade him, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero and NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported. Crosby has no desire to be traded, either.”
The Lions could have other targets at the trade deadline if Crosby is off the table. They have been consistently linked to Hendrickson, though the Bengals have also been unwilling to listen to offers for their star edge rusher.
Other Lions insiders believe the team could look for a partner in the struggling Miami Dolphins, who have a pair of capable edge rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Though the Dolphins picked up their second win of the season on Sunday, they have dropped out of playoff contention and could be looking to make deals at the trade deadline.
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