​The Las Vegas Raiders boast an intriguing offensive core that includes Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and Fernando Mendoza. On defense, however, the situation is more complex. Maxx Crosby is the standout veteran, but with his 29th birthday approaching in August, he doesn’t quite align with the young core the Raiders are cultivating. Consequently, Vegas will likely need to identify players down the road who can join a future core once the front office deems the rebuild complete. One straightforward path is to draft those players, yet the Raiders could also explore the trade market to acquire a young defender who could become a defining face of the defense.
Wynston Wilcox of FanSided recently outlined teams that could realistically pursue Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter, and Las Vegas was among them. Wilcox even suggested a scenario in which Carter could land with the Raiders if Crosby is moved to Philadelphia. “This is one of the more intriguing pitches on this list for a couple of reasons,” Wilcox wrote in a July 16 article. “The Las Vegas Raiders could benefit from an elite defensive lineman that’s young enough to build around. At the same time, it also solves their Maxx Crosby problem. Not that the Raiders are necessarily eager to trade Crosby, but they put him on the market this offseason, got a deal and it flopped. They haven’t been aggressive in trading him, but they could have the perfect opportunity to capitalize on his value while getting a solid return in Carter.”
Last season Carter appeared in 640 defensive snaps for the Eagles, delivering a 60.0 overall PFF defensive grade. He generated 41 total pressures, with three sacks, 30 hurries, and eight QB hits. Against the run, he recorded 18 solo tackles. Wilcox noted that Carter would be an ideal fit for the Raiders if a Crosby-for-Carter trade were to occur. “The Raiders were aggressive this offseason in building this roster, drafting Fernando Mendoza and patching several holes on both sides of the ball,” Wilcox added. “The Raiders could benefit from adding Carter while also receiving draft capital in return to continue turning this roster into a playoff-contending one. While they may not fetch as much for Carter because he’s that good, they could still secure a solid haul for Crosby and redirect their focus toward a younger, high-potential roster.”
In a June 26 appearance on the NFL Network, Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean discussed the impact Crosby has on the team as Las Vegas eyes a competitive 2026. Dean said, “He hasn’t been out there on the field with us, but he’s out there working. We see him out there rehabbing every day. His positive attitude is infectious. He says what’s up to everybody. You can kind of see how he knows everybody.” Dean added that he’s still acclimating to the locker room and is working to learn everyone while Crosby continues to rehab and contribute from afar.
For now, the Raiders’ path forward remains centered on developing their young offensive core while evaluating veteran pieces for a potential larger rebuild. The possibility of leveraging Crosby’s value in a Carter trade has generated discussion about how Vegas might accelerate its timeline toward a sustainable, playoff-caliber team by combining young talent with strategic, high-impact acquisitions. Whether the front office chooses to pursue such a move will depend on timing, Crosby’s contract and performance trajectory, and how quickly the organization believes it can cultivate a surrounding supporting cast around Bowers, Jeanty, and Mendoza.