Lamar Jackson tipped everyone off on social media to one of the bigger NFL trades in many years.
A few hours after he served up that “Boom” tweet, it was reported: Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby had been traded to the Ravens.
Advertisement
One of the NFL’s Super Bowl contenders had added one of the top defensive players in the league. And the rebuilding Raiders had added two valuable first-round picks. They outbid the Cowboys — who according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter offered a first- and second-rounder — with a pair of first-round picks to land the five-time Pro Bowler.
The move considerably improved the Ravens’ betting odds of winning the Super Bowl.
But are they really winners here? Here are the grades for a huge trade:
Ravens get Maxx Crosby
The Ravens were coming off a disappointing season where they were one victory away from the playoffs. So they were aggressive in getting one of the NFL’s best defensive players.
Advertisement
The Ravens got Crosby, which filled one of their biggest needs. The Ravens needed a pass rusher who can beat an offensive lineman one-on-one, and Crosby can do that. Baltimore didn’t have a player post more than five sacks last season, and that will change with Crosby, 28. He has 69.5 sacks in his seven-year NFL career and is one of the NFL’s top edge rushers. Baltimore added a fantastic player.
The price was significant. The Ravens gave up first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, according to ESPN, which is less than what the Green Bay Packers gave to the Cowboys in the Micah Parsons trade (yet, it was still a steep price).
For a team chasing a championship with Jackson, it makes sense. The Ravens got a pass rusher who makes a big difference. Even if it was expensive.
Advertisement
Grade: B
Raiders get a pair of first-round picks
When the Raiders made Crosby inactive late last season and he wasn’t pleased about it, his future was obvious. He wasn’t going to be with the Raiders much longer, no matter how much the team was adamant that it wanted him on the roster.
On Friday night, Crosby’s future was changed. He is going to the Ravens. But the Raiders got a good return.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]
Baltimore gave two first-round picks in the deal, which was less than the Cowboys got for Parsons (two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark), but it will be a big boost to the Raiders’ rebuild that will very likely include Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the draft.
Advertisement
The No. 14 overall draft pick in April isn’t as valuable because the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t very strong, but the 2027 pick is a good piece for the Raiders. Giving up a stellar player in Crosby was tough, but the Raiders maximized his value. Now the rebuild can go on in full. The Raiders did well, though it cost them one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
Grade: A-
Read the full article here