3 Las Vegas Raiders who could make first-team All-Pro in 2022
By Alex Perl
3 Las Vegas Raiders who could make first-team All-Pro in 2022
Maxx Crosby
There is almost too much not to like about ‘Mad’ Maxx Crosby.
The former fourth-round pick has arguably been the Raiders’ best defensive player since his rookie season. His eight sacks were not as high as his rookie season, in which he accumulated 10, but Crosby has become a much more rounded player.
His 56 tackles were a career high in his third season, and he accounted for 30 quarterback hits, which is more than his rookie and sophomore season combined. Crosby was a constant force in the face of every opposing quarterback he faced in 2021.
After receiving Second-team All-Pro accolades last season, it seems pretty indicative that Crosby will follow up his spectacular play from 2021 with an even better one in 2022.
The Raiders were wise to lock up their All-Pro performer on a four-year extension that may end up looking like a bargain. Crosby will only be 25-years-old when the season begins and is yet to even hit his professional prime. So the sky is the limit for the dazzling pass rusher.
In terms of defensive ends in 2021; The Raiders possessed a fearsome duel with Crosby and fellow defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. In fact, it was Ngakoue who led the Raiders in sacks. However, Ngakoue was strictly a pass rusher, who was not very strong against the run and only had 28 total tackles.
There seemed to be strong chemistry between Crosby and Ngakoue, which looked to become even stronger in 2022. But the Raiders pulled the plug on that duo and actually upgraded opposite Crosby.
Adding Chandler Jones was a move that no Raider fan or likely anyone outside the franchise saw coming. At 32-years-old, there was some chatter about giving someone on the wrong side of 30 such a lucrative contract for three seasons. But Jones is not a normal player in his 30’s. His 10 sacks last season are proof of this, and the 4x Pro Bowler has over 100 career sacks. Teaming Jones with Crosby will not only help out Crosby in both pass rushing and running situations but gives Crosby a veteran superstar to lean on and learn even more from.
With the addition of Jones, Crosby will improve even more. As the talented defensive end now forms one of the most dangerous pass rushing pairs in an already star laded pass rushing division.
Look for Crosby to add the first of many First-team All-Pro selections this season.