The Las Vegas Raiders have plenty on their offseason to-do list, but one need that continues to fly under the radar is finding a legitimate running mate for Maxx Crosby on the edge. Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler and the heart of this Raiders defense, has been carrying the load for too long. And if the trade speculation swirling around him during Super Bowl week turns into something more than smoke, the urgency to bolster the pass rush skyrockets.
Even if Crosby stays put - and that’s still the most likely scenario - Las Vegas has to find help up front. Malcolm Koonce showed flashes in 2023, but he’s headed for free agency. The Raiders could bring him back, but let’s be real: in today’s NFL, you can never have too many guys who can get after the quarterback.
New head coach Klint Kubiak comes from Seattle, where the Seahawks have long prioritized depth and versatility on the defensive line. That philosophy could follow him to Vegas, and it’s worth noting that the Raiders have the cap space to be aggressive if the right fit emerges.
With that in mind, three potential free agent edge rushers have surfaced as possible targets for the Silver and Black - each with their own pros, cons, and price tags.
Option 1: Boye Mafe - Young, Explosive, and Familiar to Kubiak
If the Raiders are looking for a player who fits both their timeline and Kubiak’s system, Boye Mafe makes a lot of sense. He’s coming off a solid season and has the kind of burst and bend that defensive coordinators drool over. Add in the Seattle connection - Kubiak just spent the 2023 season with the Seahawks - and there’s a level of familiarity that could smooth the transition.
Mafe isn’t a finished product, but he’s trending in the right direction. If the Raiders are looking to invest in a young pass rusher with upside, this is the type of player worth betting on.
Option 2: Jaelan Phillips - High Ceiling, High Demand
Jaelan Phillips is another intriguing name, though he’ll likely be one of the more sought-after edge rushers on the market. The Raiders have the financial flexibility to make a competitive offer, but they won’t be alone.
When healthy, Phillips is a problem for opposing offenses. He’s got the length, athleticism, and pass-rush toolbox to be a difference-maker.
The challenge is availability - injuries have slowed his momentum at times. Still, if Las Vegas wants to make a splash and pair Crosby with another high-impact edge, Phillips is a name to watch.
Option 3: Haason Reddick - A Risky “Buy Low” Candidate
Then there’s Haason Reddick. Once one of the league’s most productive pass rushers, Reddick’s recent seasons have been anything but dominant.
After a turbulent 2024 that included a holdout, a trade request, and a midseason debut with the Jets, he landed with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal. The results?
Just 2.5 sacks over 13 games, while playing through injuries.
Reddick’s resume from 2020 to 2023 is impressive - double-digit sacks in four straight seasons across three different teams - but that kind of production feels like a distant memory. Now approaching his age-32 season, he looks more like a rotational piece than a game-changer.
There is a connection here, though. Raiders GM John Spytek was with the Buccaneers during Reddick’s stint in Tampa Bay, and current Las Vegas execs Anthony Patch and Brandon Hunt were with the Eagles during Reddick’s time in Philly. That kind of internal intel could help the Raiders make an informed decision - or steer them away entirely.
The question is whether Reddick still has enough left in the tank to justify even a modest investment. Based on his 2024 tape, the answer might be no. One sack in 10 games with the Jets, followed by a quiet year in Tampa, doesn’t exactly scream “bounce-back candidate.”
Where Do the Raiders Go From Here?
With Crosby as the anchor, the Raiders have a foundation. But they can’t keep asking him to do it all. Whether it’s re-signing Koonce, chasing a high-upside talent like Mafe or Phillips, or scouring the market for value, Las Vegas needs to add juice to the pass rush.
Reddick might be tempting as a veteran stopgap, especially if the price is right. But given his recent decline and the Raiders’ access to firsthand evaluations, he’s far from a lock to make the shortlist.
One thing is clear: if the Raiders want to take the next step defensively, they’ll need to find a way to take some heat off Crosby. And that means getting serious about finding another edge threat - not just a body, but a real difference-maker.