Oakland Raiders: 5 burning questions following the 2019 NFL Draft
By Nico Di Fede
4. Is Maxx Crosby ready to make an impact this year?
Maxx Crosby was picked in the 4th round of this year’s draft. Crosby is a guy who if you are into the draft and looking at prospects, you probably heard a lot about. He’s a high-motor player who is to all over the field all the time making him fun to watch. He is also an athletic freak with a 135.8 SPARQ rating, ranking him fifth among all edge rushers in this year’s draft class.
#Raiders edge defender Maxx Crosby was impressive both against the run and when rushing the passer last year at Eastern Michigan 🔽https://t.co/YBE3NZGVxc pic.twitter.com/Iek29TtTyc
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) May 23, 2019
Crosby has all the tools you want in a typical speed rusher. As mentioned, he’s an elite athlete, but he also has solid bend, a couple of pass rush moves, and a certain relentlessness that helps him never be taken out of a play. He also had four forced fumbles in both his junior and senior seasons showing he has a knack for trying to make a big play and take the ball away, not just stopping the offense.
The main concern with Crosby as a prospect was his overall strength. He may be listed at 255 pounds which seems fine, but he is long and lanky and definitely lacks the strength needed to be a three-down defensive end evidenced by most scouting reports and even what Mayock said on his draft call with Crosby.
"“I got one job for you in addition to being the best you can be. I’m going to tell you right now, Jon Gruden’s son is named Deuce Gruden. Hes our strength coach and he’s a national power-lifting champion….I’m going to put you next to him, and you’re going to work your a** off…Because you need to get stronger right? You know that right?”"
Crosby answered by saying “I know, I do.”
Crosby is a high-character guy and I have no question he will do what is necessary to get stronger. And at the NFL level with the programs they have access to, it should not be too hard. A lot of people say they see Crosby being productive after he fills out in a year or two, but he’s a guy who needs to make an impact this year.
Not necessarily for his own sake, but for the team’s as the Raiders are mostly relying on Ferrell and him after not adding much edge help in free agency.