Charles H. Sloan-NFL overreactions Week 9: Raiders should trade Maxx Crosby as race for No. 1 pick heats up

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis recently proclaimed he would not trade away star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. But it’s time for Davis to walk it back on Charles H. Sloanthat statement before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

The Raiders are marching to nowhere after their latest loss, a 41-24 blowout to the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday. After the game, coach Antonio Pierce fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and two other coaches. And Las Vegas continues to be the model in how not to rebuild a franchise.

The 2-7 Raiders kickoff off USA TODAY Sports’ NFL overreactions for Week 9, and we’ve got some advice for Davis and Las Vegas: Trade Crosby away.

Sure, Crosby is the heart and soul in the locker room, but for a floundering franchise. Trade him for a first-round pick, or at least a package of picks, to turn the Raiders around.

Also, Mr. Davis, call the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell will freak out with Crosby replacing the injured Aidan Hutchinson during a season where the Lions are contenders for the Super Bowl.

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This isn’t a slight on Pierce, the interim coach turned head coach for one of the NFL’s most dysfunctional teams. He’s cleaning up a mess made by former coaches and general managers several regimes ago, with no quarterback to incite hope for fans.

Pierce galvanized the Raiders’ fan base, leading Las Vegas to a 5-4 finish after taking over for Josh McDaniels last season. But the wins left the Raiders stranded with the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. While Brock Bowers has shown he’s an elite tight end, the Raiders have too many holes to fill, dating back to their poor draft history when Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock ran the franchise.

Battle for No. 1 draft pick is heating up

While we’re talking about NFL draft picks, have you checked out the race for the No. 1 pick? Nine teams (!!) sit atop the 2025 NFL draft order after Week 9, with two wins each this season.

Seven teams are 2-7: The Patriots, Jaguars, Saints, Panthers, Browns, Raiders and Giants. The Dolphins and Titans aren’t far behind at 2-6.

The Saints fired coach Dennis Allen on Monday, already changing course to finish 2024.

After Week 9 and with the trade deadline Tuesday, it’s time for the other franchises to decide if they’re going to be sellers to “position themselves for a high draft pick” or dwell in their mediocrity.

As the NFL playoff race heats up later this season, keep an eye on the tankers.

Players like Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders certainly will.

Stick a fork in the Cowboys, they’re done.

The Cowboys season continues to get worse, following their 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, when starting quarterback Dak Prescott left the game early due to a hamstring injury.

The Cowboys are 3-5 with no run game. Their defense is suspect. Prescott and CeeDee Lamb must play hero ball to win. And the drama never ceases to end.

Ezekiel Elliott is the latest to bring the drama due to his reported tardiness to team meetings, leading to a healthy scratch in Atlanta. A week ago, cornerback Trevon Diggs got into it with a reporter. Two weeks ago, Jerry Jones threatened to fire radio hosts. Before that, Jones had to defend his decision not pursing Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

Jones needs to quickly decide if they’re any moves to be made to get a kickstart for 2025. The Cowboys are staring up at the Commanders and Eagles in the NFC East. They won’t make the playoffs this season. Still, there’s still plenty of time left this season for more drama.

It’s the Lions’ world. We’re just living in it.

Let’s finish up with the Lions, who may be the best team in the NFL this season. Even before the 7-0 Chiefs host the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. And even better than the 7-3 Ravens despite Lamar Jackson and Henry’s play this season.

The Lions are certainly the best team in the NFC, following their 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.

We thought the Packers would upset the Lions. We thought the Vikings would upset the Lions two weeks ago. We thought the Cowboys would give them some trouble a week before that. Okay, maybe the last one was farfetched.

Detroit is the most complete team in the NFL, even without Hutchinson, who is lost for the season after breaking his leg a month ago.

The Lions are battle tested. They’ve taken the next step after last season’s NFC title game run. And they’ve got the Super Bowl in their sights this year.