​Our Las Vegas Raiders training camp is right around the corner, with rookies reporting in under two weeks. That gives us a brief window to squeeze in a few final dives into the Raiders’ roster, kicking things off with this week’s mailbag. Let’s dive in.
Mark Davis’ hair
At 28 turning 29 and watching injuries stack up despite playing through them, is Maxx Crosby starting to slow down, or can we expect another year or two of the Mad Maxx era? A: This is exactly why I argued for trading Crosby in the offseason. I do buy the idea that he’ll be motivated and perform well this year after the Ravens situation, but I think he probably has one or two seasons left in the peak mode we’ve known over the last seven years. There’s substantial mileage on that body, as he finished the last two seasons on injured reserve. Crosby’s relentless motor is a big part of what makes him elite, but it’s also going to contribute to more wear and tear that could add up if he doesn’t learn to pace himself a bit.
With the Raiders a young team in the middle of a two-year rebuild, having their best player nearing the end of his prime isn’t ideal. In my view, the best outcome for the franchise would be Crosby kicking off the season hot to prove his knee is sound, thereby driving up the trade value ahead of the deadline.
Q: If Maxx Crosby isn’t traded before September 13, do you expect any Week 1 starters who aren’t on the roster now?
A: I could see the front office adding a wide receiver or defensive tackle who could step in and start immediately. Offensive line is another area where there could be openings, since three starting spots could be up for grabs heading into training camp. However, the Raiders already have a number of young players competing for those jobs, and chemistry in the trenches matters—especially since that chemistry is usually built through ample reps together in camp.
Given the likelihood of linemen revolving in and out during battles, I’m not sure it’s wise to insert another outlier into the mix. It comes down to how much the organization trusts Rick Dennison to develop the youngsters versus bringing in a veteran who might be better right now but has a lower ceiling. Based on Dennison’s track record and his rapport with the Kubiaks, there’s a strong belief that he’ll maximize players like Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Trey Zuhn III, and the rest of the young group.
Q: In your opinion, which current Raiders player or coach could cut the best pro wrestling promo? Whether babyface or heel, it doesn’t matter.
A: This one’s a fun thought. The coaching staff is intriguing because we don’t know them all that well yet, and Klint Kubiak’s stoicism might make for a bland promo. On the other hand, Joe DeCamillis could deliver a standout performance. Special teams coaches tend to have a different vibe that can translate well to wrestling promo energy. I’d bet on DeCamillis to bring a sharp, entertaining edge.
Note: This discussion touches on a lot of roster dynamics and speculative scenarios that could shift as training camp unfolds.