Trending Now - NFL Teams Increasingly Trading First-round Picks for Stars
WHO:
Baltimore Ravens
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby, 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher
Lamar Jackson, two-time NFL MVP
Jesse Minter, new head coach of the Ravens
Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver
Kenny Clark, three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle
Drew Lock, quarterback
Noah Fant, tight end
Shelby Harris, defensive lineman
Russell Wilson, 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback
WHAT:
The Ravens traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby.
This trade marks the first time the Ravens have traded a first-round pick for a player since their inception in 1996.
The Ravens have traded first-round picks before, but only for other draft picks.
The Ravens' defense had 30 sacks in 2025, tied for 28th in the NFL.
The last two Super Bowls were won by teams with superior defenses.
WHERE:
Baltimore, Maryland (Ravens)
Las Vegas, Nevada (Raiders)
WHEN:
The trade was reported on Friday night, March 6, 2026.
The Ravens' first NFL season was in 1996.
The last two Super Bowls occurred in January 2026 and February 2025.
WHY:
The Ravens are shifting their strategy from building through the draft to acquiring a veteran All-Pro player to win a Super Bowl immediately.
The trade reflects the Ravens' desire to capitalize on Lamar Jackson's prime years.
HOW:
The Ravens are acquiring Crosby in hopes of enhancing their defense and improving their playoff performance.
In a significant move, the Baltimore Ravens have traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, marking the first time in the team's history that they've traded a first-round pick for a player. This decision comes as the Ravens look to bolster their defense, which struggled with just 30 sacks last season, and aims to capitalize on the prime years of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The trade was reported last Friday night, reflecting a shift in strategy as the Ravens pursue immediate Super Bowl contention.