The Buffalo Bills have taken significant steps to enhance their pass rush, using first- and second-round picks in recent NFL drafts and awarding a large contract to All-Pro Von Miller.
Despite significant spending over the last few years, the Bills have struggled to apply consistent pressure on rival quarterbacks. That was evident in recent postseason losses to the Kansas City Chiefs, whose quarterback Patrick Mahomes outperformed the squad on the ground and in the air.
According to Jarrett Bailey of The Sporting News, the Bills could make another significant investment this offseason by trading for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby in a blockbuster deal.
Bailey projected the Bills would pay a high price to land the edge rusher, putting together a hypothetical proposal in which the Bills would trade their next two first-round picks, as well as a fourth and sixth this season, to acquire Crosby.
He noted that the Bills have struggled to identify a big-impact player with their recent first-round picks and may instead trade their next two to the Raiders for an established star.
“Look at the Bills’ current first-round picks: Dalton Kincaid, Kaiir Elam, Greg Rousseau, and Ed Oliver. Furthermore, Keon Coleman and A.J. Epenesa were the team’s top picks in 2024 and 2020, respectively, as second-round selections,” Bailey said. “None of these players have become superstars and lived up to the position in which they were drafted. Trade a pair of first-round picks for a truly game-changing edge rusher, something they haven’t had since Josh Allen was selected. The Bills’ Achilles heel has been a lack of pass rush in key games. “That immediately changes with Crosby.”
Crosby, 27, had 45 total tackles and 7.5 sacks last season.
Despite rising trade rumors around Crosby, the great edge rusher has stated that he remains dedicated to the Raiders and addressed the question regarding his future.
“There will always be clickbait [crap], especially around this time of year. “I’m not sure why,” Crosby stated in an edition of his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby. “It’s hilarious because trade rumors have gotten out of control over the previous two years, and they’re now at an all-time high. I feel like they interpret everything I say in a specific way.
Crosby may be doing more than just lip service to his teammates. He recently met with new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, expressing his appreciation for the vision they have given to the team.
“The main things that (Carroll) talked about is, we’re going right now,” Crosby told NFL.com. “We aren’t wasting time. That was the only thing he mentioned to me following his news conference. We are going to get this thing moving. So that’s exciting. Every year, I have this mentality. I hope to win every year. That’s my competition, and I see it in him. I believe everyone, from the new ownership group to (owner) Mark (Davis), is on the same page when it comes to criticizing this new government.”