After watching other teams spend in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars at last made their first external signing when they gave a two-year deal to running back Chris Rodriguez. The move won't send shockwaves across the NFL, but it will give sophomore Bhayshul Tuten an intriguing backfield tandem. On top of that, it will reunite the former Kentucky Wildcat with head coach Liam Coen.
Having bolstered their backfield, the Jags can now turn their attention to other needs. Their interior defensive line could use reinforcements, but they also need to give the pass rush a boost. Trey Hendrickson is off the market, but the Las Vegas Raiders could field inquiries about Maxx Crosby after the Baltimore Ravens backed out of their trade.
Acquiring Crosby would instantly improve their defensive front, and Alex Kay of Bleacher Report made a proposal in which Jacksonville lands the veteran pass rusher without having to give up wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The Jaguars trade for Maxx Crosby in return for four draft picks
Alex Kay drew up a list of new landing destinations for Maxx Crosby after the Baltimore Ravens backed out of the original trade. He included the Jags, arguing that they could acquire the five-time Pro Bowl nod even though they don't have a first-round pick. Here's the skinny.
"Jacksonville still doesn't have a first-rounder to offer this year, but the club does possess 11 total picks in the 2026 draft," Kay wrote. "Four of those selections fall within the top-100, making it conceivable for general manager James Gladstone to put together an alluring package."
Later, Kay explained that Crosby could bolster a Jacksonville pass rush that struggled to make an impact last year.
"The Jags fielded the league's top rush defense last year—giving up a league-best 85.6 yards per game and not allowing a single rusher to top the 75-yard mark—but struggled to stop opposing signal-callers. The team ranked in the bottom-12 for pass defense and only recorded 32 sacks on the year—the sixth-worst mark in football," Kay said.
So what would it take to get a deal done? Kay suggests the Jags sent their 2026 second-round pick, two 2026 third-round picks, and one 2026 fifth-round pick.
It's worth noting that after Baltimore reneged on the trade, Crosby posted that everything happens for a reason and that "He's a Raider," implying that he isn't going anywhere. Nevertheless, Las Vegas could still trade "the Condor" if a team makes an offer that's too good to pass up.
Aside from Jacksonville, Kay included the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bears as potential suitors for Crosby. However, the Cowboys are no longer interested in him after acquiring Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers.
The Jaguars would need to give up plenty of draft capital for Maxx Crosby
This B/R trade proposal is most definitely intriguing. The Jaguars wouldn't have to give Las Vegas any of their draft picks from next year and would get to keep Brian Thomas Jr., who's coming off a disappointing season but took the league by storm as a rookie. Moreover, they would get a deal done without a first-round selection.
Sure, Jacksonville would need to take on Crosby's salary (he has cap hits of around $28 milion every year through 2028), but they could the front office could find a way to make it happen without hindering their cap in future years. Having said that, it would also leave general manager James Gladstone without enough draft ammo to add reinforcements at linebacker, defensive tackle, and cornerback.
Nevertheless, Maxx Crosby is the kind of game-altering talent that all teams would love to have. It would be expensive, but it would most definitely turn the Jaguars into a legitimate contender.
Grade: B+