Raiders edge rusher Keyron Crawford just sent a strong message to anyone doubting him as a third-round pick by Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Raiders are betting on the insane upside that Keyron Crawford presents, having just started playing football.
When the Las Vegas Raiders’ first third-round pick went through on Friday night, many were confused. Vegas drafted former Auburn Tigers edge rusher Keyron Crawford with the No. 67 overall pick.
This choice was unexpected, as the team already had significant depth at edge rusher. There were also other areas of need, with several players available to address them. The Raiders, however, felt Crawford’s talent was exceptional and saw a high ceiling in his potential.
Raiders new edge rusher Keyron Crawford is sending a message
Fans dislike third-round ‘project player’ picks, but this move could pay off. Crawford has a message for doubters.
“So, it’s more so just the upside is my skill still being able to grow, still develop, still learn, just like all the pieces that you would want as a young player,” Crawford told the media when asked about his upside.
“So, the peak that you saw far as Arkansas State and Auburn, it was a very small piece. Just knowing the mindset and the person that I am, it’s more so that you’re going to end up getting 10 times more of that. So, they know they’re going to get a dog, and I’m willing to put all my foot, all 10 toes down, and everything; my best foot forward for as long as I’m a Raider.”
Keyron Crawford’s 2025 stats at Auburn
Crawford played 47 career games in college, with two years at Arkansas State and two at Auburn.
- 36 tackles (9.5 TFLs)
- 5.5 sacks
- 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 FF
Crawford’s path to football was unconventional; he didn’t start playing until his senior year of high school. Despite that, last year, many considered him a more promising prospect than teammate Keldrick Faulk, a first-round pick. Over the past two seasons, Crawford’s pass rush win rates increased—from 15.8% on 152 snaps in 2024 to 19.7% on 240 snaps in 2025—ranking just behind Rueben Bain, David Bailey, Romello Height, Akheem Mesidor, and Derrick Moore, according to Tristen Kuhn. These numbers help explain why the Raiders are so high on him.
Now that Tyree Wilson is traded and out of town, the Raiders have freed up some more reps for Crawford. Sure, Crawford is an edge rusher, and more of an outside linebacker in that 3-4 scheme, where Wilson was a defensive end; however, it all matters. They will not play every single down in a 3-4, or odd-man front. They will play some snaps, and maybe even more than the average fan realizes, in an even-man front. Even if it’s just a few reps and snaps, it’s still freeing up playing time for Crawford, regardless.
Crawford’s potential as a pure pass rusher is unexplainable. He’s got the length, speed to power, explosive first step, and a good array of moves, primarily a swim move and some twitch. However, there is a reason he was only a third-rounder. He’s not got a ton of experience playing football, especially not against elite competition.
He played 47 career college games, but only 24 games in the Power 4. In 2024, production wasn’t really there in terms of sacks and tackles for loss. In 2025, the production will be there. He is a decent run defender, but he does need help there. If Rob Leonard can tap into this potential, the sky is the limit.
