Commanders predicted to unload two first-round picks in trade for star edge rusher

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The Washington Commanders have a lot of needs to address on both sides of the ball in 2026, and one of those needs comes at edge rusher.

The Commanders finished around the middle of the pack in sacks in 2025, but Von Miller and Jacob Martin, who combined for 14.5 of Washington's 42 sacks, are scheduled to hit free agency this offseason.

With the Commanders needing help at EDGE, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine predicts the Commanders will send two first-round picks and a fifth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

"Washington's struggles this season gives them the advantage of a top-10 pick to offer to Vegas," he wrote. "Dan Quinn would get the marquee pass-rusher he needs to improve the Commanders defense and the Raiders would be able to potentially add a quarterback at No. 1 and a foundational defensive prospect at No. 7."

Crosby needs no introduction. He's one of the better edge rushers in the NFL and is a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro who has posted double-digit sacks four times in seven seasons.

All that said, it remains to be seen if the Raiders will make him available, something the team has been staunchly against in the past.

However, the door is at least slightly ajar for that to happen in 2026 after Crosby became disgruntled with the Raiders when they shut him down a few weeks early due to a knee injury that Crosby wanted to play through.

Crosby also had to navigate yet another pathetic season with the Raiders, and there is no end in sight for Las Vegas' ineptitude. Perhaps all of this will finally be enough to push Crosby over the edge to demand a trade.

The Raiders would be hard-pressed to pass up on the deal Ballentine proposes.

Getting two first-round picks would be a massive boost for the rebuilding Raiders, especially with one of them being a top-10 selection in 2026.

Las Vegas could use their No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza, assuming he declares, and then they could turn around and take a top talent on either offense, like a wide receiver for Mendoza, or on defense.

Meanwhile, Crosby would go to Washington, a team that could turn it around quickly in 2026 after a disappointing season. It would be awesome to watch Commanders head coach Dan Quinn utilize Crosby in his defense.

We appreciate the loyalty the Raiders have shown to Crosby, and vice versa, but it would be in the best interest for both parties to part ways at this point.

If that is the decision the two sides agree on, we would expect Washington to be one of many suitors for Crosby's services.

Commanders predicted to unload two first-round picks in trade for star edge rusher

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