The NFL Draft is one of the most pivotal events for any franchise trying to reach newfound glory. For the Las Vegas Raiders, every recent draft has been monumentally important for their rebuild and the team has not disappointed the last two years.
While there are some great players to be excited about from the 2020 NFL Draft, the Raiders were particularly on point during the 2019 NFL Draft. Josh Jacobs has shown the potential to be one of the league’s best running backs, and Maxx Crosby was arguably the biggest steal of the draft.
Crosby had his name in the running for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and proved to be the defensive playmaker the Raiders desperately needed. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Crosby was initially disappointed after being passed on by his hometown Dallas Cowboys:
“I’m from Dallas so I was like, ‘Mom, Dad, Dallas loves me; this is gonna be perfect,’” Crosby remembered over the phone last week. “Obviously, I didn’t get drafted there. And I was kind of pissed off but, at the same time, I think everything happens for a reason.”
Crosby is a Dallas native and recalled having a good workout with the Cowboys before the draft. In fact, the workout was a one-on-one workout with then Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Of course, Marinelli has joined the Silver and Black as a the defensive line coach and will now be working with Crosby after all.
While it isn’t how he expected it to happen, Crosby is excited to finally be working with Marinelli:
“It’s kind of funny how everything worked out,” Crosby said. “Now I get Marinelli just a year later. I’m a better player now, I’m smarter and I have more experience. I know Marinelli can bring a whole other aspect into my game that I need. He’s just gonna add another element to my game… It’s gonna be awesome.”
Crosby would often make opposing offensive lineman look silly as he blew past them with his excellent combination of speed and agility. Hopefully Marinelli can help to make him a more consistent defender and truly bring out the best of him in 2020 and beyond.
