Maxx Crosby's 136 tackles for loss make him a deadline target

Since entering the league in 2019, Maxx Crosby has recorded 136 tackles for loss. No other player in the NFL has more. The statistic underscores the value of the Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher as the team considers its options ahead of the November 10 trade deadline.

The Raiders began the season with a 3-0 record. They have since lost four straight games to fall to 3-4. This drop from the top of the standings has intensified debate over whether the franchise should trade Crosby. Earlier this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens traded two first-round picks for Crosby. That deal collapsed when the Ravens found a concern during his in-person physical. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that it is unclear if Crosby is still pushing for a move behind closed doors.

Pete Prisco, a senior NFL writer for CBS Sports, argued on CBS Sports HQ this past Sunday that the Raiders should sell high. Prisco suggested the team use the draft capital to aid a rebuild centered on quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Prisco believes the picks would be a better return than holding onto Crosby while the team struggles.

Crosby has four double-digit sack seasons. His 25 pressures this season rank second in the league behind Greg Rousseau. If the Raiders do move him, four teams stand out as potential buyers.

The Chicago Bears sit at 5-2. Their pass rush has struggled. Cornerback Kyler Gordon leads the team with four sacks. He has played in only two games. Montez Sweat is suspended for two games for violating the performance-enhancing drugs policy. Dayo Odeyingbo is out with a quadriceps injury.

The Detroit Lions are tied for the league lead in sacks with 21. Their defense still allows 391.0 yards per game. Crosby grew up in Detroit and would join a unit that holds the Green Bay Packers to 17 points on Sunday. Brian Branch is back in the lineup. Kerby Joseph may return soon.

The Dallas Cowboys rank third-worst in total yards allowed per game with 382.5. They are tied for fourth-worst in sacks with eight. Jerry Jones might make an aggressive move to fix a defense that underperformed expectations. The Buffalo Bills have won four games this year. All four victories came when they allowed at least 30 points. Their defense allows 2.76 points per drive, the worst in the league.