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.
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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 Bowlers.
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.
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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. 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, however. The Ravens gave first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 according to ESPN, which is less than the Packers gave in the Micah Parsons trade, but still a steep price. But for a team chasing a championship with Jackson, it makes sense. They got a pass rusher that makes a big difference. Even if it was expensive.
Grade: B
Raiders get a pair of 1st-round picks
When the Raiders made Crosby inactive late last season and he wasn’t pleased about it, his future was fairly obvious. He wasn’t going to be with the Raiders much longer, no matter how much the team was adamant that they wanted him on the roster.
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On Friday night, Crosby’s future was changed. He is going to the Ravens. But the Raiders got a good return.
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.
The late 2026 isn’t as valuable, because the 2026 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-