ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell included a blockbuster hypothetical in his latest mock draft on Monday, projecting the Philadelphia Eagles would acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft, a 2027 third-round selection and edge rusher Nolan Smith. The scenario, one of several Barnwell laid out as part of trades tied to every first-round selection, resurrects long-running trade chatter around Crosby despite previous talks stalling earlier this year.
Barnwell framed the move as a win-now play for Philadelphia and a pragmatic reset for Las Vegas. He argued the Raiders, who had an “epic” trade collapse with the Baltimore Ravens in March, remain a team not yet on the cusp of true contention, while Crosby — who turns 29 in August — is entering the later stage of his prime and reportedly wants to join a contender sooner rather than later. The hypothetical would give the Eagles another elite pass rusher to pair with their already well-regarded defense.
For the Raiders, Barnwell suggested the package would offer useful pieces in return. Nolan Smith, a first-round pick of the Eagles, would slot into Las Vegas’s edge rotation as a potential Crosby replacement, while the 23rd pick and a future third-rounder would help replenish draft capital. Barnwell noted Smith’s uneven tenure in Philadelphia: after a rocky rookie campaign, Smith produced 10.5 sacks across his second regular season and postseason, but last year managed only three sacks in 11 games while dealing with a torn triceps.
The mock trade underscores persistent speculation about Crosby’s future. Las Vegas publicly appeared intent on keeping Crosby after the failed deal with Baltimore, but league observers have continued to entertain scenarios that would send him to teams closer to contending now. Crosby has built a reputation as a disruptive, high-effort defender and a frequent fixture in trade conversation whenever the Raiders evaluate roster direction and timelines.
While Barnwell’s proposal imagines a seismic shift for both clubs, it comes with heavy caveats. The trade asks Philadelphia to surrender a first-round pick, a future selection and a recently drafted pass rusher — a steep price even for a player of Crosby’s caliber — and Las Vegas would be betting on Smith’s ability to rebound from injury and reach his earlier production. The mock itself represents one analyst’s thought exercise rather than concrete front-office plans.
Ultimately, Barnwell conceded the Crosby-for-Smith-and-picks swap is unlikely to materialize, but the scenario nevertheless highlights the continued uncertainty surrounding the Raiders’ timeline and Crosby’s desire to chase immediate success. As the draft approaches and offseason roster moves accumulate, the conversation about whether Crosby remains in Las Vegas or becomes the centerpiece of a trade is likely to persist.