Fixing their defensive woes is going to be crucial for the Dallas Cowboys as they shape their 2026 roster. Last offseason, the Cowboys made waves on offense by bringing in George Pickens. Now, they might be looking to make a similar splash on defense with Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Crosby, a seasoned pass rusher, has been tagged as the ideal trade target for the Cowboys. Imagine a defensive line featuring Crosby alongside Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark.
That’s a front that could strike fear across the league. In 2025, Dallas struggled, giving up the most points and passing yards.
While they can address the secondary in the draft, a strong front led by Crosby would be a game-changer for a young group of defensive backs.
The Cowboys saw some defensive improvement post-trade deadline, but a big move could elevate them further. Crosby is expected to be a hot commodity in the trade market, and Jerry Jones is known for his penchant for star players.
Last year, things didn’t go as planned with Micah Parsons, a defensive end who seemed to be the future for Dallas. Contract negotiations soured, leading to a public fallout and Parsons holding out. The situation escalated, and eventually, Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers for Clark and two first-round picks, later securing a hefty four-year, $188 million deal.
Now, the Cowboys might leverage one of those picks to entice the Raiders. Crosby, who signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders, could be a more affordable option than Parsons. However, acquiring him won’t come cheap.
Crosby is in demand for a reason. In his age-28 season, he played 15 games, racking up 73 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and 10 sacks. It marked the fourth time in seven seasons he achieved double-digit sacks.
While it’s uncertain if the Cowboys can land Crosby, he certainly fits the bill as a dream addition for Dallas.