Raiders Acquire Second First-Round Pick in Blockbuster Maxx Crosby Trade to Ravens
LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Raiders have joined an elite group of NFL teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, acquiring a second selection from the Baltimore Ravens in a stunning trade for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.[3][4]
The blockbuster deal, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, sends Crosby – one of the league’s premier edge rushers – to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens’ 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. The move catapults the Raiders into the company of the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Kansas City Chiefs as teams holding two opening-round selections for 2026.[1][2]
Raiders’ Massive Haul Signals Full Rebuild
With their own No. 1 overall pick locked in after a dismal 2025 season, the Raiders now possess unparalleled draft capital. Schefter described the offer as one the Raiders “couldn’t refuse,” highlighting Baltimore’s aggressive bid that beat out competition from teams like the Cowboys.[3][4]
“The Ravens have won the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes,” Schefter reported, noting the trade’s immediate impact on both franchises’ trajectories.[3] For Las Vegas, it’s a clear pivot toward rebuilding. A Sunday blowout loss to the New York Giants positioned them for the top pick, needing only a Week 18 loss or tie against the Chiefs to clinch it outright.[2]
Teams with Multiple First-Round Picks
The Raiders’ acquisition reshapes the 2026 draft landscape. Here’s a breakdown of teams entering the offseason with dual first-rounders:
- New York Jets (Picks 2 and 16): Trading stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams netted five first-rounders across 2026-2027, fueling a quarterback hunt.[1]
- Cleveland Browns (Picks 6 and 24): Own Jacksonville’s pick from a 2025 trade-up for Travis Hunter; emerging as trade winners.[1][2]
- Dallas Cowboys (Picks 12 and 20): Bolstered by trades, including for Quinnen Williams from the Jets.[1][7]
- Los Angeles Rams (Picks 13 and 29): GM Les Snead’s deal with Atlanta; likely to trade one amid Super Bowl contention.[1]
- Las Vegas Raiders (Pick 1 and Ravens’ 2026 1st): Exact position of the acquired pick TBD, but massive ammo for rebuild.[3][5]
- Kansas City Chiefs (Own + potential): Referenced in original reports; full details pending final order.[2]
Crosby Trade Grades and Implications
Early free agency grades are pouring in, with analysts dissecting the swap. For Baltimore, Crosby addresses a glaring pass rush need, pairing him with their existing talent for a Super Bowl push. The Ravens “dealt two first-rounders” – one each in 2026 and 2027 – to land the disruptive defender.[3][4]
“Raiders got an offer they couldn’t refuse in Maxx Crosby trade,” Schefter said, emphasizing the deal’s scope.[3]
Las Vegas, mired in a rebuild under new management, gains flexibility. Their No. 1 pick positions them for a franchise quarterback, while the extra selection could target offensive line, edge depth, or trade value. Biggest needs: QB, Edge, OL, DL, LB.[2]
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2 | New York Jets |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys |
League-Wide Ripple Effects
The trade underscores a seller’s market for proven talent. The Jets’ fire sale of Gardner and Williams exemplifies teams cashing in on draft capital amid poor performance.[1][7] Rams, meanwhile, eye trades like shipping Pick 29 to Kansas City for Trent McDuffie.[1]
As Week 18 looms, draft order remains fluid. Raiders hold the edge for No. 1 via strength of schedule tiebreakers over Giants and Titans.[2] Full mock drafts and needs analyses – WR, Edge, CB for contenders like Titans – will dominate offseason talk.[2]
This influx of picks for rebuilding squads like the Raiders promises a dynamic 2026 draft in April, potentially reshaping rosters for years. For Crosby, it’s a shot at contention in Baltimore.[3]
Draft order current as of March 7, 2026; subject to Week 18 results and further trades.