When the Raiders drafted defensive end Maxx Crosby at the end of the fourth round, the hope was that he could make the roster and crack the team’s defensive line rotation. Never in the wildest dreams could they have imagined him recording double-digit sacks as a rookie.
In just 10 starts (16 total games), Crosby was able to record ten sacks and 16 total tackles for a loss. He also added four forced fumbles and another four pass deflections as he was one of the most productive rookie defensive ends in recent history.
To relive his fantastic rookie season, I’ve compiled all of his sacks and tackles for a loss during the 2019 season. As you can see, Crosby made several plays that jump off the screen due to his athleticism and effort. Take a look at those game-changing plays below:
Note: Crosby’s sack against the Bears in London was not included as the All-22 film was not available in Wembley Stadium.
If Rod Marinelli can work his magic and improve Crosby’s technique and hand placement, there is no reason why he can’t reach 12-14 sacks in Year 2. He’s an elite athlete whose motor runs hot all game long. Look for the second-year defensive end to have a monster season in 2020 with a full season under his belt.
