If the Maxx Crosby trade debacle taught New York Giants fans anything, it's that it isn't over until the final whistle.
Earlier in the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders made a deal with the Baltimore Ravens to send superstar pass-rusher Maxx Crosby to Charm City for the 14th overall pick in the 2026 Draft, along with a 2027 first. It was a massive haul. Too good to be true.
And as it turns out, it actually was.
In a shocking twist, the Ravens clawed the trade back before the new league year officially began after raising concerns over his knee. So when the Giants agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in this upcoming draft, a return like that deserved a pause before any celebration.
While it’s a tough reality Big Dex is gone, getting a top-10 pick for him after the worst season of his career and a season-ending elbow injury the year before had all the makings of a failed physical and a major letdown. But after he passed his physical and signed a one-year extension, we’re officially in the clear now.
Giants avoid Maxx Crosby-style trade disaster with Dexter Lawrence
Whenever a trade happens, it usually comes with the disclaimer, "pending a physical." And while it might read as a throwaway, it actually matters a lot, because had Lawrence not passed a physical, we'd be back at square one, just like the Raiders.
The Ravens reversed the Crosby trade after concerns centered around a degenerative knee issue following his January meniscus repair. Despite knowing about the surgery beforehand, the results in Baltimore raised enough red flags for the team to void the deal entirely and keep both of their first-round picks. Crosby pushed back on the decision, saying his own doctor had no issues with his recovery, while Vegas was left blindsided after already factoring the trade into their offseason plans.
Two first-rounders for Crosby felt crazy at the time, much like the 10th overall pick for Lawrence felt. The last time a top-10 pick was traded for nothing other than a player was when the Raiders traded the seventh pick to the Vikings for Randy Moss, linebacker Napoleon Harris, and a seventh-round pick.
This doesn't happen often.
Say what you will about the 2026 class and its lack of depth. It might not be the strongest, but expecting any rookie to come in and have the impact Dex has had over the past couple of years is nuts. It took him some time to get going, too. The 10th pick gives them a young, moldable piece who can scale with this next iteration of Giants football.
Just imagine how brutal it would’ve been if the Bengals backed out, Dex came back even more unhappy, and the Giants were right back at square one without another top-10 pick. That would've been a nightmare. It was bad Dex got moved in the first place, but it could have been a lot worse had it totally collapsed as it did with Crosby.
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