Frisco, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys could shake up the NFL offseason with a bold move on the trade market.
According to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, acquiring Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby would transform the Cowboys’ struggling defense.
Vacchiano floated the idea in his recent analysis of potential trades for each NFC team ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“This is probably a very un-Jerry Jones-like move,” Vacchiano wrote. He suggested sending a 2026 first-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for the two-time All-Pro edge rusher.
The Cowboys’ defense has been a clear weakness this offseason. Pass rush help remains one of the team’s most urgent needs heading into the new season.
Crosby, 28, is a polished and instinctive player capable of generating constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Adding him would instantly create one of the league’s most formidable defensive fronts.
The proposed deal would cost Dallas draft capital but far less than the package Baltimore offered earlier. The Ravens had agreed to send two first-round picks before that trade collapsed over medical concerns.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has two first-round selections available this year. That flexibility could allow the team to part with one and include additional third-round picks to sweeten the offer.
Vacchiano noted the risk involved with Crosby’s knee. However, he believes it is worth taking for a franchise desperate to make a Super Bowl run.
Crosby signed a three-year, $106 million extension with the Raiders last year. The contract includes significant guarantees and underscores his value as one of the NFL’s top non-quarterback talents.
Despite the appeal, a trade may face hurdles. The Raiders showed reluctance to move Crosby after the failed Ravens deal in March.
Still, the Cowboys should keep the five-time Pro Bowl caliber player on their radar. Until Las Vegas officially rules out any transaction, the possibility remains alive.
Landing Crosby would dramatically change the narrative around Dallas’ pass-rush attack. The move could provide the missing piece for a defense looking to contend at the highest level.
For now, this remains a speculative idea from Vacchiano. No official talks have been reported between the two teams.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office face important decisions in the coming weeks. A deal of this magnitude would signal a clear win-now approach as the team prepares for another season at AT&T Stadium.
