Defensive end Maxx Crosby has been a great find for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Since selecting him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the former Eastern Michigan standout has never missed a game.
He has also become a menace for opposing teams by collecting 142 total tackles, 25 sacks, 12 passes defended, and four forced fumbles.
The Raiders view him as a valuable asset for their long-term plans by giving him a four-year, $98.98 million contract extension.
That deal locks him with Las Vegas until 2026 when he turns 29.
But aside from getting paid, NFL analyst and Good Morning Football host Kyle Brandt sees Crosby picking up a major individual award this season.
.@KyleBrandt's pick to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year?@Raiders DE @CrosbyMaxx
"I think this is the year he becomes a household name." pic.twitter.com/kjnyyMcCOm
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 7, 2022
The tweet reads, “@KyleBrandt’s pick to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year? @Raiders DE @CrosbyMaxx. ‘I think this is the year he becomes a household name.'”
“I’m gonna pick someone who is going to have the big-time breakout season. My guy is just kinda hanging out there in the NFL Top 100, he’s in the 50s somewhere. His sack numbers from each year? Fine, but nothing crazy. Not 16 or 17 but right there,” Brandt said.
He added, “He’s on a super glamorous team, and he will have a lot of eyeballs on him. He has a lot of weapons around him. I predict that the NFL Defensive Player of the Year will go down Fury Road, and I’m going with Mad Maxx Crosby.”
Raiders Have A Solid Unit Around Crosby
He could have a breakout year because opponents must account for his other teammates on defense.
The Raiders brought in Chandler Jones, who had 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles last year.
There’s also Denzel Perryman, who has been one of the league leaders in tackles.
Therefore, Crosby could have free paths to the quarterback at times because the other team must delegate more bodies on Jones and Perryman.
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