# John Middlekauff: Middlekauff expects the Raiders to end up trading Max Crosby, saying offers of a first and a second will be rejected and that Las Vegas will ultimately get two first-round picks plus a player. **Claimed:** Feb 25, 2026 **Pundit:** John Middlekauff — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/john-middlekauff **Outlet:** The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/the-herd-with-colin-cowherd-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview **Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/3-and-out-with-john-middlekauff/live-from-the-nfl-combine-howie-roseman-stops-by-news-from-the-day One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened. Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in. > But I do think they'll end up getting a two ones and a player or something. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Maxx Crosby to move** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Maxx Crosby - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Maxx Crosby — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/maxx-crosby ## What others said about the same people - Dan Pizzuta on Maxx Crosby: Pizzuta offers bold 2022 predictions: Trey Lance finishes top-10 in EPA per dropback, DK Metcalf lands top-10 in receiving yards, the Giants finish with the league's worst record, Maxx Crosby leads the NFL in sacks, Desmond Ridder outplays and starts more games than Kenny Pickett, the Panthers grab a wild card, Justin Herbert wins MVP, and the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/5cef782a-2154-448a-a0af-3762cb3f5d2e (scored 75) - Kyle Brandt on Maxx Crosby: Brandt picks Jalen Hurts as 2025 NFL MVP, predicts the Seahawks win the NFC West, has the Steelers, Patriots and Chargers in the AFC playoffs and the Lions as an NFC wild card, and takes Maxx Crosby as Defensive Player of the Year. He also says Saquon Barkley won't reach 2,000 rushing yards again but will score more. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/d963e1b3-bed3-4c42-8d5a-2c7a0b14b1ae (scored 0) - Eric Williams on Maxx Crosby: In his Week 2 NFL awards ballot, Williams lists his top three for each major award, with Josh Allen leading MVP (Trevor Lawrence second, Lamar Jackson third), Jahmyr Gibbs atop Offensive Player of the Year, Aidan Hutchinson atop Defensive Player of the Year, Ben Johnson for Coach of the Year, Jadarian Price for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Josiah Trotter for Defensive Rookie of the Year. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/d92c8f9a-ffe6-48cf-8c2d-626073839f7c (not settled) - Mike Florio on Maxx Crosby: Florio suggests the Lions' new cap space makes them (along with the Cowboys) a potential in-season trade destination for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, and that Las Vegas may try to trade him again if the season goes poorly. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/4103eb99-8227-45d7-9b14-ea9b7b3e4707 (not settled) - Mike Florio on Maxx Crosby: Florio published his Week 1 2026 NFL power rankings, ordering all 32 teams with the Seahawks first and the Cardinals last. He also suggested the Lions' fourth-place schedule gives them the inside track to win their division. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/02999e07-c070-4378-b9c4-c375153c1bcf (not settled) - Danny Parkins on Maxx Crosby: Danny had the Colts and worst-to-first Giants winning divisions, the Bears reaching the NFC title game, Caleb Williams as his MVP, and the Bills beating the Seahawks in the Super Bowl; he also predicted Max Crosby gets traded to Dallas. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/89b602d9-f527-42db-95a7-f3ce105815de (not settled) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Bryan DeArdo on Darius Slayton: A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/3f1834cd-6520-4f07-9efc-4060a6b5cb1c (scored 100) - Noah Strackbein on Darius Slayton: Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c6348972-c1bf-48f1-ba03-d5c2ef44561a (scored 100) - Patricia Traina on Darius Slayton: Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/970d968f-3133-436c-a8a6-114412a9f178 (scored 100) - Devon Platana on Johnny Hekker: With punter Brett Thorson dealing with a hamstring injury, Platana suggests the Vikings have a decent chance of bringing back veteran free-agent punter Johnny Hekker as a familiar fill-in. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/eafcb668-aa60-42b1-8d77-ebdd33d0c2af (scored 100) - Greg Auman on Will Levis: Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/55b7732a-4131-430b-adbf-a33c60c47dc0 (scored 100) - John Maakaron on Joe Bachie: Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/6cc7cac4-1a70-4e0a-a762-8c280319c3af (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. 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