This post is the final part of a series counting down the 10 most important Las Vegas Raiders players under contract for next season (not including Derek Carr). Guys set to be free agents (Josh Jacobs, Jarrett Stidham, etc.) aren’t included here. Click here for Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight and Part Nine of this series.
No. 1: Maxx Crosby
I mentioned in the last piece that it was a toss-up between Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, but after the season Crosby just put together nothing was going to prevent him from getting the top spot.
What I love about Crosby is that he checks literally every box. Statistically, he’s insane — playing every snap of every game, racking up sacks and tackles, grading out well against both the run and the pass, etc. — but he’s also one of the guys who dominate the eye test as well. It’s not just empty stats, in fact, if anything it’s the opposite — it feels like the stats fail to truly tell the whole story about just how good Crosby is.
While I see lots of people praise Crosby for his stats — and they should — the one thing I’ve harped on in this space time and time again (and which I don’t think he gets enough credit for) is just how damn hard this guy plays.
In four seasons, Crosby hasn’t missed a game. In 16 games last season, Crosby never played less than 90% of the defensive stats — a number that is absolutely bonkers compared to many of the league’s top edge players. And when you watch what his snaps look like, it’s safe to say that he never gives less than 90% either.
Among edge players last season, Crosby was first in tackles (57), tied for fifth in sacks (12.5), tied third in forced fumbles (4) and was first in the entire league in tackles for loss (22).
Oh, and he did all this without any real support from the guys next to or behind him. There was nobody else on the defensive scouting report — and Crosby still put up those numbers. He won’t win the Defensive Player of the Year this season, unfortunately, but to say he is in the same conversation as the top guys in the league is an absolute understatement.
2022 Stats: 17 games, 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks
2023 Outlook
The good news for Crosby in 2023 is that he has to get more help. Like, there’s almost no way the Raiders could give him less support if they tried. With a whole arsenal of picks and cash to spend, upgrading the defensive line is an absolute priority in Vegas, specifically the interior.
If the Raiders can finally add someone inside who can push the pocket and be a disruptor, it frees Maxx up to attack more single teams, which he eats up for breakfast. Regardless, though, Crosby has raised the bar every single season and there’s no reason to believe 2023 will be any different.
