The ongoing saga over the blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby that the Ravens then backed out of might be mostly over now, but that doesn't mean the chance of the elite pass rusher being moved again is completely out the window, despite rumors to the contrary. That's good news for a team like the Patriots, who need that level of production for their defense, and the Ravens getting cold feet could work in their favor.
Although the Raiders have stated they intend to keep Crosby for the future, and that appears to be his plan as well, there is still plenty of reason to believe this won't be a happy ending, especially since the organization was willing to trade him in the first place.
The Ravens backed out for whatever reason, claiming that Crosby's injury was worse than they were told up front, but new intel suggests the opposite, and that could put him back on the Patriots' trade radar this year.
Maxx Crosby could be on the trade block again for the Patriots to inquire about sooner rather than later
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer isn't so sure that the Raiders will keep Crosby around for the long haul, and he floats the idea of them revisiting a trade by the deadline this fall.
That would inevitably erase all questions about his injury and prove he's exactly the player teams knew he was, and that's when the Patriots could make an offer.
"If he’s going to be traded, I think it’s going to have to come after Maxx Crosby gets back on the field and plays really well, so people will forget about everything that just happened. That way, it becomes a little easier when it comes to managing your owners and your fan base. It also makes it easier to go out and trade for him again.
That’s not a bad place for the Raiders to be, either. When you look at where they are, it’s like, ‘OK, Maxx is going to help build a culture,’ and they’ll move forward as if he’s part of the team.”
That would certainly keep the Raiders' price high, and that doesn't necessarily work in New England's favor. But unless they address their pass rush through the draft, it's not looking like they'll have a superstar on their defensive line, and that's something Crosby could fix.
It seems inevitable that the Raiders will want to move him again, and the Patriots have every reason to make an offer. If they want to put their defense over the top, Crosby is the guy, and he would be worth the investment.
If Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf don't show any interest, there might be questions about their plan to upgrade the defense as needed. The hope, of course, is that they'll make enough moves to improve their production. But it's hard to predict the future, and they haven't made those moves yet.
It might require trading for a player like Crosby, and this could be their chance to do it if Breer is right with his prediction. That's not an opportunity the Patriots should pass on.