Cowboys monitor Raiders' Maxx Crosby trade status. Could a high-motor pass-rusher returning home drastically reshape Dallas' defense?
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' ability to create cap room to make "bust the budget'' moves in NFL free agency is suddenly old (but still major) news.
So is Dallas' interest in trading for DFW's own Maxx Crosby as a quick fix to improve their NFL-worst defense. defense.
A source close to the situation tells me on Monday morning that Dallas is "monitoring'' Crosby's status as a trade candidate.
And other outlets (including NFL insider Albert Breer) are suggesting that the Las Vegas Raiders are poised to deal veteran defensive end Crosby as early as this week.
Breer lists the Patriots, Eagles, Ravens, Bills, and Rams as other clubs who join Dallas in having expressed interest in the dynamic pass-rusher, who is disgruntled with Las Vegas' rebuilding approach.
Las Vegas is said to be looking for a Micah Parsons-sized deal, meaning they want two first-round picks plus a starting player.
Dallas has that ammo. But no, that's not happening.
But the Cowboys could offer their second first-rounder (not pick No. 12 but rather pick No. 20) plus a player in a bid to bring Crosby "home.'' (He attended high school in Colleyville and speaks fondly of his DFW ties and speaks admiringly of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' "maverick'' style.)
As it happens, as NFL.com points out, Crosby's offseason workout partners include ... Dallas' CeeDee Lamb.
A year ago, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders. That seems prohibitive, and indeed, he's a $35 million hit this year. But he is under contract for three more seasons at about $28 million APY and at time will be owed no guaranteed money.
The Cowboys see a fit here in new coordinator Christian Parker's "3-4 Hybrid'' scheme, as the high-motor 6-5, 255-pound Crosby, 28, is athletic enough to do more than just rush the passer.
But ... his 69.5 sacks rank third on the Raiders all-time list, as the five-time Pro Bowler has averaged 11 sacks per season over the last four years.