Raiders Prepare for Busy 2026 NFL Draft After Maxx Crosby Trade

With over $100 million in cap space, the Raiders look to reload through the draft.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in an enviable position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, with over $100 million in effective cap space after trading star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. The team will look to leverage this financial flexibility to address multiple needs through the draft as they aim to rebuild and return to contention in the AFC West.

Why it matters

The Crosby trade gives the Raiders a rare opportunity to restock their roster through the draft, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season and challenge the Chiefs and Chargers in their division. With significant cap space, the team can be aggressive in targeting top prospects to fill key holes on both sides of the ball.

The details

The Raiders received a haul of draft picks in exchange for Crosby, including a 2026 first-round selection. This gives them multiple early-round picks to work with as they aim to rebuild through the draft. The team will look to address needs at positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and in the secondary, as they seek to surround a new franchise signal-caller with talent and improve a defense that struggled in 2025.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A former fourth-round pick, Crosby developed into one of the league's premier pass rushers during his time with the Raiders. He was traded this offseason, netting the team a haul of draft picks.

Geno Smith

The veteran quarterback is expected to be released by the Raiders, freeing up additional cap space for the team to work with ahead of the draft.

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What they’re saying

“With the Crosby trade and the expected release of Geno Smith, the Raiders have a unique opportunity to reshape their roster through the draft. This is a critical offseason for the franchise as they look to get back on track.”

— Mike Mayock, NFL Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Raiders will look to be active in free agency in the coming weeks, as they seek to add veteran talent to complement their draft haul. All eyes will then turn to the 2026 NFL Draft, where the team will have multiple early-round selections to work with as they aim to rebuild their roster.

The takeaway

The Raiders' trade of Maxx Crosby has left the team in a strong position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, with over $100 million in cap space and multiple early-round picks to work with. This gives them a unique opportunity to quickly reload their roster and position themselves for a return to contention in the AFC West.