NFL analyst lists Raiders DE Maxx Crosby as team's non-QB MVP
The Las Vegas Raiders non-QB MVP for the 2023 season will likely be someone on the defensive side of the ball, which is crazy to think about.It's no secret that the Raiders are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. They were in 2022, and 2023 will likely look very similar in that […]
The Las Vegas Raiders non-QB MVP for the 2023 season will likely be someone on the defensive side of the ball, which is crazy to think about.
It's no secret that the Raiders are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. They were in 2022, and 2023 will likely look very similar in that aspect. Sure, they got some new players, drafted six defensive rookies, and are going into year two of the same defensive system, but a big change doesn't happen overnight.
That said, the Raiders non-QB MVP will be on the defensive side of the ball. Maxx Crosby, one of the best defensive ends in the league, will hold it down not only on that side of the ball but for the team as a whole. One NFL analyst thinks the same too. Here is what Eric Edholm of NFL.com thinks:
There's absolutely a strong case to be made for either receiver Davante Adams or running back Josh Jacobs in this spot. Jacobs arguably was the Raiders' overall MVP last season when you consider just how much he did, and with Jimmy Garoppolo already coming in as an injury risk at quarterback, Jacobs figures to be plenty busy again. But Crosby is pretty special, too, and the Raiders have more questions on the defensive side of the ball again. He's not good enough to clean up everyone else's mistakes, but that won't stop him from trying. There aren't ten players in the league who play with a hotter motor, and arguably not that many who make more of an impact on their defense. Chandler Jones fell off significantly last season, especially early on, and 2023 first-rounder Tyree Wilson might come in a bit behind, given that he has not yet practiced while continuing to rehab from foot surgery. That puts an enormous burden on Crosby, but he's been up to the challenge almost since the day he set foot on an NFL field. – NFL.com
Last year you can say that Josh Jacobs was the team's MVP. He did nearly everything. When the passing game wasn't working, as that happened more often than we would have liked, the running game was. Jacobs was unbelievably reliable, so he was one of the best running backs in the league.
So how can Crosby be the team's MVP if the defense is bad? Well, think about this: How much worse are they without him? With him, they are slightly below-average defense. They fall somewhere between the 20-25th best range. Without him, they are undoubtedly the worst defense in the league.
Why Maxx Crosby just received serious validation that he’s built different
Maxx Crosby knows he's a difference-maker. He's enjoyed another solid season as an edge rusher. And recently, he was nominated for the ninth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. How it works is that each team around the NFL nominates one of its players who they feel exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship on the field. The Raiders selected […]
Featured image Via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
