Despite Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis trying to shut down trade rumors regarding Maxx Crosby on Thursday, the Detroit Lions continue to be linked to pass rushers following Aidan Hutchinson's season-ending leg injury in Week 6.
At the top of the list of biggest names is Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler with 57.5 career sacks and an uncertain future for a 2-4 Raiders team struggling to compete in the AFC.
Crosby himself turned heads on Thursday, telling reporters, "I'm not here to rebuild, I'm here to win. I don't know, whatever that means. ... Wherever I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be here to win."
Joining the "The Zach Gelb Show" on Infinity Sports Network, former NFL general manager Thomas Dimitroff revealed what he believes Crosby could fetch in a blockbuster trade, adding that the Lions should "knock hard" on the Raiders' door.
"This is a situation where you have to come up with two (first-round picks), you might have to come up with a (third-round pick) and something more," Dimitroff said.
"I just believe it's going to have to be legitimate and I think it has to have two (first rounders) in it."
According to Tankathon, the Lions, currently sitting at 4-1 entering Week 7, don't have a third rounder for 2025, but they do have multiple fourths to use as additional trade chips.
Thomas Dimitroff says Lions GM Brad Holmes needs to be knocking on Tom Telesco’s door and be willing to give up 2 first-round picks and then some for Raiders star Maxx Crosby. @InfSportsNet @SumerSports pic.twitter.com/VMC7WWuWNG
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) October 17, 2024
Dimitroff spent 13 years as the Atlanta Falcons' general manager from 2008-20. He was responsible for a few trades himself, including a 2011 NFL draft-day deal to move up to the No. 6 pick to select Julio Jones.
Atlanta surrendered two first rounders, a second rounder and a pair of fourth rounders for the future seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
As for Crosby, the 27-year-old star is currently in the second season of a four-year, $94 million contract extension signed in Mach 2022. According to Spotrac, he carries a base salary of $24.5 million this season, which drops to $22.2 million and $18.8 million over the next two years, respectively.
A trade before the NFL's Nov. 5 deadline would save the Raiders $25.3 million in salary cap space this year, but spread a $15.3 million dead cap hit between 2024 and 2025.
