Mailbag: Could the Ravens Trade for Maxx Crosby

Baltimore Ravens
11 Feb 2026, 22:58 GMT+10

byClifton Brown&Justin Robertson

Brown:There's a lot of smoke surrounding Crosby these days, but first, we must see if the Las Vegas Raiders really intend to trade him. Crosby has been rumored to be unhappy but hasn't publicly asked to be traded. New Raiders Head Coach Klint Kubiak said on Tuesday at his introductory press conference that he wants Crosby to remain a Raider, as did Owner Mark Davis.

If the Raiders decide to trade Crosby, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported it will take aMicah Parsons-like packageto make a deal. The Green Bay Packers traded two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to get Parsons.

Do I think General Manager Eric DeCosta would trade two first-round picks and a Pro Bowl-caliber player for Crosby? I don't. And because Crosby is a premier edge rusher who's still 28 years old, I think at least half the teams in the NFL will have serious interest if he becomes available. The Ravens would need to outbid a host of teams to get him.

I hate raining on your hopes, but I think the odds are against Crosby being in Baltimore next season, even if he leaves Las Vegas. However, I'm confident the Ravens' pass rush will improve. New Head Coach Jesse Minter did a terrific job maximizing his defensive talent as a coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers. I think he'll do the same in Baltimore. Meanwhile, I think Baltimore will focus on its pass rush via the draft, free agency, and perhaps a trade that doesn't involve losing the resources it would take to land Crosby.

Robertson:I think it's likely that the Ravens add at least one receiver this offseason via the draft and/or free agency.

Tylan Wallace and DeAndre Hopkins are both free agents, leaving Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester as the only receivers under contract on the 53-man roster. Wallace could return, as could Hopkins, who saidhe wants to playat least one more season, but there's no guarantee. Adding another weapon who can be an instant threat in the passing game could help the Ravens' offense return to form.

The Ravens have a history of adding veteran receivers on team-friendly deals, but I also wouldn't rule out DeCosta going after some of the top-end pass catchers on the market. There are several household names set to be available in this cycle, including George Pickens, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Alec Pierce, among others.

The Ravens could also look to expend some of their premium draft capital on a pass catcher. Manymock draftshave the Ravens taking a receiver in the first round of April's draft, whether it be Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon, or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson. All of those prospects and several others are names to watch as the Combine approaches later this month.

Brown:The Ravens want to add depth to their interior defensive line, regardless of how Nnamdi Madubuike's future health status (neck injury) plays out.

There's a reason why Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald and Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods have beenpopular choices for Baltimore in mock drafts. Both are strong run stoppers who have the potential to become consistent interior rushers.

Offensively in the trenches, it's no secret that there could be open competition at both starting guard spots next season. Emery Jones Jr. may challenge for a starting role in his second year, and guard Vega Ioane of Penn State is a draft prospect being linked to Baltimore.

If the Ravens re-sign Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, a huge offseason question will be answered in a positive way. If Linderbaum leaves, the Ravens will have even more work to do in the offensive trenches.

Robertson:Tight end is certainly a position group to monitor this offseason.

Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are free agents, leaving Mark Andrews as the lone tight end locked in for next season.

With Andrews just signing an extension, I don't believe the Ravens' brass will spend a significant chunk of cap space to acquire Pitts. He's coming off his best season since his rookie year, catching 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. That level of production will likely command a significant deal on the open market, and that's only if the Falcons don't re-sign or franchise tag the former fourth-overall pick.

Even if the Ravens do bring in the 25-year-old Pitts, I don't foresee him being an "X" receiver. Pitts can be deployed anywhere on the field, but there are plenty of other options (see above) to give Lamar Jackson another dangerous weapon on the perimeter.