FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys were supposed to be the runner-up. The team that tried, failed, and moved on to other options. The also-ran in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes who had to watch their division rivals land the biggest defensive fish of the offseason.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium.

Then Tuesday night happened.

The Baltimore Ravens backed out of an agreed-upon trade for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby after he failed a physical with the team, according to a stunning announcement from the Raiders themselves . The deal that was supposed to send two first-round picks to Vegas for the two-time All-Pro is now dead in the water, and the Cowboys — who were unwilling to part with that kind of draft capital just days ago — suddenly find themselves right back in the conversation .

 

“I am told the Dallas Cowboys would still be interested in a Maxx Crosby trade, if indeed it is medical, which is what the indications are right here,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said, throwing gasoline on a fire that was already spreading across the internet .

The Raiders are now stuck with a disgruntled superstar recovering from knee surgery, the Ravens are back to square one, and the Cowboys are lurking in the shadows like predators smelling blood in the water.

Given the latest development, it’s possible Crosby no longer carries that two-first-round price tag. And if the asking price drops, Dallas has options — including some intriguing pieces they could dangle in front of Raiders general manager Tom Telesco.

Here are three players the Cowboys could include in a revamped trade package for Maxx Crosby.

 

THE MEDICAL SITUATION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Before we dive into the trade chips, let’s understand why this deal fell apart in the first place — because it matters for everything that follows.

Crosby, who turns 29 in August, is recovering from knee surgery that ended his 2025 season. He had planned to play through the issue before the Raiders shut him down for the final two games, causing a rift that led Crosby to seek a trade in the first place . The Ravens had a deal in place, but when Crosby failed his physical, they walked away.

Here’s the key detail: trades cannot be finalized until the opening of the new league year, and they’re contingent on a player passing a physical . The Ravens didn’t just change their minds — they saw something in Crosby’s medicals that gave them pause.

 

But Crosby himself said on a recent appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that he was “ahead of schedule” in his rehab . So which is it? Is he damaged goods, or is this a temporary setback that a team like the Cowboys can navigate with their own medical staff?

That uncertainty is precisely why Crosby’s value has likely dropped. And that’s exactly why Dallas is interested again.

THE INITIAL OFFER THAT SETS THE STAGE

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player for Crosby before Baltimore swooped in with the two-first-round package .

That offer was rejected because Vegas wanted more. But now, with the Ravens out and Crosby’s medical questions lingering, that same package might look a lot more attractive to a Raiders team that still holds the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and needs to build around their rookie quarterback .

 

The expectation is that Las Vegas will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top selection . If that’s the case, they need to surround him with talent — and they need to do it quickly.

Enter the Cowboys, who have exactly the kind of pieces that could accelerate a Raiders rebuild.

PLAYER NO. 1: OSA ODIGHIZUWA, DT

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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa

The Crosby news came shortly after it was revealed that Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa could potentially be available in trade talks . The timing is almost too perfect to be coincidence.

Odighizuwa, 27, is a productive defensive tackle who has been consistently healthy across five years with the Cowboys. He’s started 76 of 84 games in Dallas after being a third-round pick by the team in the 2021 NFL Draft. That’s the kind of durability and production that contenders value and rebuilders covet.

 

For the Raiders, who just watched their best defensive player walk out the door, adding a proven interior disruptor like Odighizuwa makes sense on multiple levels. He’s young enough to grow with Mendoza, experienced enough to contribute immediately, and versatile enough to fit multiple schemes.

Combining Odighizuwa with a first-round pick and another potential piece could be a good deal for the Cowboys, who would likely make an argument with the Raiders that Crosby’s value has gone down a bit . Instead of surrendering two first-rounders, Dallas could offer a first, a solid veteran starter, and maybe a sweetener — and Odighizuwa is exactly the kind of player who makes that package competitive.

PLAYER NO. 2: GEORGE PICKENS, WR

This is the name that will make Cowboys fans clutch their pearls and reach for the smelling salts.

 

Despite placing the franchise tag on George Pickens, the Cowboys could still trade him and avoid having to pay him the estimated $28 million tag next season . That’s a significant financial consideration for a team that is already navigating cap constraints and has other extensions to consider.

Pickens is coming off a monster season: 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns en route to his first-ever Pro Bowl . At 24 years old, he’s already established himself as one of the most explosive wide receivers in the league. Trading him would be painful — some inside the Cowboys building would “have an aneurysm,” according to team insiders .

But here’s why it makes sense for both sides.

Acquiring Pickens would be a home run for the Raiders, who have the first overall pick and are expected to draft Mendoza . Imagine handing your rookie quarterback a 24-year-old Pro Bowl receiver as his No. 1 target from Day 1. That’s how you accelerate a rebuild. That’s how you create a foundation.

 

For the Cowboys, trading Pickens would allow them to avoid giving him a massive new contract next offseason while simultaneously acquiring a generational pass rusher in Crosby. It’s the kind of bold, aggressive move that defines championship windows.

Yes, it would hurt. Yes, fans would riot. But if the alternative is watching Crosby dominate for someone else while Pickens commands $30 million per year, the calculus gets complicated.

PLAYER NO. 3: DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, DE

Here’s where things get really interesting — and a little bit complicated.

Though Ezeiruaku has already shown his potential as a productive pass rusher, Crosby is no doubt an upgrade . As a rookie this past season, Ezeiruaku posted 40 total tackles (20 solo), two sacks and one forced fumble while passing the eye test . He generated 43 quarterback pressures, second-most on the team, and showed flashes as an edge setter in the run game .

 

But there’s a catch.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Ezeiruaku underwent hip surgery five weeks ago and is expected to be limited during the Cowboys’ offseason program . The procedure is not expected to impact his availability for training camp, but it’s a factor — and it might actually make him more available in trade talks.

The Cowboys are thin at edge rusher. Jadeveon Clowney is a pending free agent. James Houston is the only other returning pass rusher from last year’s 53-man roster . Trading Ezeiruaku would create a hole, but it would also fill a much bigger one by bringing Crosby to Dallas.

It would be tough for Cowboys fans to see him go but it could end up being worth it in a potential deal that would also include a first-round pick . For the Raiders, acquiring a young pass rusher with Ezeiruaku’s pedigree — he led Division I with 16.5 sacks in his final season at Boston College — would soften the blow of losing Crosby while adding a cost-controlled asset to their rebuild .

 

 

THE DRAFT PICK SITUATION

Here’s another layer to this onion: the Cowboys have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dallas owns its own selection (No. 12 overall) and the Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick (No. 21 overall) . That gives them flexibility that few other teams possess. They can afford to package one of those picks with a player like Odighizuwa, Pickens, or Ezeiruaku without completely mortgaging their future.

The Raiders, after the failed Baltimore trade, are back to just one first-round pick — the No. 1 overall selection . Adding another first-rounder (or two) while also acquiring young talent would be a massive win for a team entering a rebuild.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The next few days will be chaotic. The new league year opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, and until then, nothing is official . But the groundwork is being laid.

 

The Cowboys have interest. They have assets. They have a need. And now, they have leverage they didn’t have a week ago.

Crosby’s medical situation will need to be vetted by Dallas’ team doctors. If they clear him, the conversation moves to compensation. And if the Raiders are willing to accept a package centered around a first-round pick and a quality player rather than two first-rounders, this deal could get done quickly.

THE FAN REACTION

Social media, predictably, is losing its collective mind:

“COWBOYS BACK IN THE CROSBY SWEEPSTAKES LET’S GOOOOO”

“Trading Pickens for Crosby would be insane but also kind of brilliant? I need to lie down”

“Odighizuwa and a first for Crosby? Where do I sign?”

“Ezeiruaku just had hip surgery and we’re talking about trading him for a guy who failed a physical? Make it make sense”

 

“Jerry Jones about to cook up something dangerous”

THE VERDICT

The Maxx Crosby sweepstakes were supposed to be over. The Ravens won. The Cowboys lost. Everyone moved on.

Then Tuesday night happened, and the entire NFL landscape shifted.

Now Dallas has a second chance at landing one of the best defensive players in the league — possibly at a discounted price. Osa Odighizuwa, George Pickens, and Donovan Ezeiruaku each represent different paths to getting a deal done. Each comes with different risks and rewards.

But the bottom line is simple: the Cowboys are interested, they have the assets, and they have a window. Whether they walk through it or let it close will define their offseason — and potentially their season.

Welcome back to the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, Cowboys fans. This time, you might actually have a chance.