Despite Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis’ attempt to shut down trade rpumors about Maxx Crosby on Thursday, the Detroit Lions continue to be linked to pass rushers after Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending leg injury in Week 6.
Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler with 57.5 career sacks, has an uncertain future with the struggling 2-4 Raiders in the AFC.
On Thursday, Crosby made waves by telling reporters, “I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win. Whatever that means… Wherever I’m gonna be, I’m here to win.”
Former NFL general manager Thomas Dimitroff, appearing on “The Zach Gelb Show” on Infinity Sports Network, revealed his thoughts on Crosby’s trade value, suggesting the Lions should make a strong offer.
“You’d need two (first-round picks), maybe a (third-round pick) and more,” Dimitroff said. “It has to be legitimate with two (first-rounders) involved.”
Tankathon notes the Lions, 4-1 entering Week 7, lack a 2025 third-round pick but have several fourth-rounders to use in a trade.
Dimitroff, Atlanta Falcons’ general manager from 2008-20, engineered several trades, including a 2011 draft deal to move up to select Julio Jones, surrendering two first-rounders, a second-rounder, and two fourth-rounders.
Crosby, 27, is in the second year of a four-year, $94 million contract extension signed in March 2022. Spotrac reports his base salary is $24.5 million this season, dropping to $22.2 million and $18.8 million over the next two years.
A trade before the NFL’s Nov. 5 deadline would save the Raiders $25.3 million in cap space this year, though they’d face a $15.3 million dead cap hit spread over 2024 and 2025.
