Maxx Crosby to Cowboys? How did Dallas’ $30m cap space revive trade rumors?

The NFC West is becoming increasingly competitive, with the Los Angeles Rams bolstering their defense by acquiring Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and returning Aaron Donald. The defending division champion Seattle Seahawks remain dominant. To counter this, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger believes the San Francisco 49ers should trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

He argues that the 49ers are in an arms race with the Rams and need to make a move to stay competitive. Baldinger highlights Crosby's inability to be beaten off the line of scrimmage, citing his performance during the Sack Summit in Las Vegas. He dismisses concerns about Crosby's knee injury, drawing from his own experience of playing despite a failed physical.

While no specific trade cost has been disclosed, a potential deal could involve the 49ers sending a 2027 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick. Alternatively, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggests waiting to see how the 49ers' aging core performs before making a move. The 49ers' defensive line is currently lacking, with Nick Bosa recovering from ACL surgery and Mykell Williams out for the first four weeks of the season.