The Raiders entered the draft this year knowing they needed a pass rusher, but the reality was they really needed two or three pass rushers. Everyone is familiar with Clelin Ferrell by now, but the addition of fourth-round pick Maxx Crosby may end up just as significant.
Crosby is a small school, high motor guy and has been training with former All-Pro defensive end Chuck Smith. On Monday, Smith was a guest on SiriusXM NFL’s Movin’ The Chains with Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan.
“People ask me to describe Maxx and Maxx is an absolute junkyard pit bull dog,” Smith said of Crosby.
“He is the kind of kid that’s going to go hard, he’s still developing… but the one thing you like about him… he’s a great effort guy… Maxx is long, he’s tall, he’s quick off the ball, has a great long arm. Maxx Crosby might be the steal of this draft, I’m telling you, man.”
For what it’s worth, some anticipate Crosby right away cutting into some of Arden Key’s snaps – a scenario that could become even more likely if Key isn’t able to add more muscle in the coming months.
Beyond Crosby, Key, and Ferrell, don’t be surprised if the Raiders go out of their way to add another veteran edge rusher in the weeks leading up to the season.
twitter: @raidersbeat
There might be a couple of guys that get cut that have something left in the tank. I would rather try to get some talent from a team who thinks that their edge rusher is too highly paid. Frank Clark might have been good to go after. I still see the position as one of weakness right behind the LB position.
We’ve got 3 rookies, a 2nd year guy, and 2 or 3 veterans at DE, why not let the young guys develop and see what we’ve got? Why add more old retreads this year on short-term deals that will just take time from the young guys? We’ve got some old guys on one year deals at LB, so we’ll probably need to draft one or two LB’s next year, let’s see if we’re ok at DE.
Shane Ray is still out there?
BOOM!!!
I hope Crosby is all that. We hoped Key would be all that. Countless others we hoped would be all that. How many times have I heard “steal of the draft?”
You never know until we get into the season. We all love to hype though don’t we?
Let’s slow our roll, fellow fans………we were similarly excited about Shilique Calhoun, who we drafted out of Michigan St., a few years back……not saying that Crosby will turn out to be similar to Calhoun, but their Size and Combine results are similar. Calhoun had 44 tackles for loss, and 27 sacks in the Big-10, and Crosby had 41 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks, at Eastern Michigan, so I’m just saying, let’s not be too quick to crown this guy, as the Next.
Joe is right we should not crown him, however Combine is not similar.
Calhoun = 4.82 (40), 115 (broad), 6.97(3-cone), 4.25 (shuttle)
Maxx = 4.66 (40), 122 (broad), 6.89(3-cone), 4.13 (shuttle)
Numbers may look close, but they are not. Maxx has numbers that match the elite edge rushers. I hope he can get there. Calhoun showed no explosion or counter moves on tape. Maxx has elite speed, explosion and several moves. It is more likely that his career will resemble Charles Haley than Calhoun.
Maxx reminds me of Haley BIG TIME. watch Haley with SF, then watch Maxx – WOW. Haley was a fourth round guy (96 overall), Maxx is a 4th Round Guy (106) overall. Height and weight exactly the same. I have high hopes, and I THINK Maxx can be a Steal, but we have to wait and see!