Las Vegas Raiders: Things Raider Nation should be thankful for in 2022

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 20: Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with fans following an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. The Las Vegas Raiders won in overtime (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 20: Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with fans following an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. The Las Vegas Raiders won in overtime (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 20: Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders points against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Empower Field at Mile High on November 20, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Things Raider Nation should be thankful for in 2022

Maxx Crosby is worth every penny

Signed to a huge extension in the off-season, Maxx Crosby is one of the biggest draft steals in recent memory. A fourth-round pick in 2019, he quickly developed into one of the league’s very best pass rushers. No longer just beating bad offensive tackles for high sack numbers, he is now an elite player who dominates in all facets.

Truly, it is hard to imagine what the Raiders would do on defense with Crosby. As a unit, Las Vegas has thirteen sacks on the season. Crosby is responsible for nine of them. Leading the team in solo tackles as well, he has chipped in with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, and a pair of pass deflections.

Once again, the Raiders’ defense is one of the very worst in the league. With injuries to key starters and failed free-agent signings, Crosby has been forced into a role as a one-man wrecking crew. Fortunately for Vegas, his talent is often enough to keep the team in the game as, without him, it is scary to think of what the unit might look like.