Baltimore's defense becomes elite after Maxx Crosby deal

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Mar 7, 2026 - 09:30
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Baltimore's defense becomes elite after Maxx Crosby deal

In the biggest trade in franchise history, the Ravens are going away from the norm, acquiring five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

Parting ways with a first-round pick in a trade will be a first for Baltimore, but Crosby is a difference maker and guarantees stability and attitude for a defense lacking both in 2025.Crosby, 28, is a significant upgrade to the Ravens' pass rush, which recorded only 30 sacks last season, the lowest total for Baltimore in 15 years. After they finished with an 8-9 record, failed to reach the playoffs, and fired longtime coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens could enter 2026 with an All-Pro at every key position on defense.

Maxx Crosby

The pass rusher underwent a minor meniscus repair and will have a few months of rehab. Crosby has earned five consecutive Pro Bowl nods and 69.5 career sacks. Crosby, who has had double-digit sacks in three of his last four years and is coming off a career-high 28 tackles for loss in 2025, could command multiple first-round picks.

Nnamdi Madubuike

Madubuike's 21.5 sacks since the start of the 2023 season were the most by an NFL defensive tackle over that span before his injury. Madubuike, 27, had played in 55 straight games before injuring his neck in a 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on September 14. Madubuike led the Ravens and all NFL defensive tackles with 13 sacks in 2023 and was off to a strong start with two sacks in the Ravens' first two games. The Ravens signed Madubuike, 27, to a four-year, reported $98 million contract extension before the 2024 season. John Jenkins and Travis Jones had breakout seasons in Madubuike's extended absence.

Roquan Smith

In 2025, Smith earned his fourth-career Pro Bowl nod, breaking into the Ravens' Top 6 all-time tackles list. Smith finished this season with 130 tackles (76 solo), which ranked 15th in the NFL and ninth in the AFC.

Malaki Starks

Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging 1,060 defensive snaps (11th), 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. Starks finished his rookie season with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense.

Kyle Hamilton

A Swiss Army Knife, the ultra-versatile Hamilton earned his second AP first team All-Pro honor. Everything Minter wants to do on defense starts with Hamilton.

Nate Wiggins

Baltimore was 24th in total defense (354.5 ypg), including 30th in the NFL vs. the pass (247.9 ypg). Any improvement starts in the secondary, and Nate Wiggins is the unquestioned No. 1 cornerback on the roster. In his second NFL season, Wiggins finished with 76 tackles (57 solo), 3 INTs, and 14 PD. His 27 PD over his first two years tie for second both in franchise history and among his 2024 draft class.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Maxx Crosby's arrival in Baltimore makes the Ravens defense elite

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