Detroit Lions are in desperate need of edge-rushing support following season-ending injuries to both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, the latter of whom was brought in via free agency to complement Hutchinson.
Since Hutchinson’s injury, Lions fans have been speculating about a trade for Las Vegas Raiders’ star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, one of the few players capable of adequately replacing Hutchinson.
FanSided’s Lou Scataglia predicts the Lions will make that move, striking a deal with the Raiders for Crosby before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
“Maxx Crosby feels like the AFC’s version of Hutchinson. Both exemplify what it means to be on their teams and play with unmatched intensity,” wrote Scataglia. “The Raiders could embrace a rebuild by trading Crosby, gaining a collection of picks and cap relief in return.”
As Scataglia points out, acquiring Crosby would require a hefty package of draft picks, but pairing him with Hutchinson would make the Lions’ defense formidable for years to come.
The issue, however, is that the Raiders are unlikely to trade Crosby, as we explained in a previous article. Crosby has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the Raiders, most recently affirming it last week.
“Come on man, you know I don’t want to leave,” Crosby said amid rumors. “I’ve got this tatted on my body. I’m not going anywhere.”
While a trade could kickstart a Raiders rebuild with the return Crosby would fetch, Las Vegas won’t move him unless Crosby agrees, and by all indications, he isn’t open to it.
Crosby doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so the Raiders could theoretically trade him, but out of respect, they likely won’t. The Lions will need to explore other options for help.
