Depending on where you look for stats, Maxx Crosby is either first or second in pressures. The third-year defensive end from Eastern Michigan is in the middle of a breakout season as he continues to dominate opposing offensive lines.
In his first two years in the NFL, you saw flashes of brilliance from Crosby. He had a double-digit sack season as a rookie, but he was far from consistent and drifted in and out of games. Now, he is a force on each and every snap.
In a recent article by Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus, he was asked who this year’s most improved player? Not surprisingly, the answer was Crosby. Here is what Kyed and the site had to say about the star defensive end:
“The easiest answer is Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is PFF’s highest-graded (91.4) edge defender this season after earning a 61.6 overall PFF grade through the first two seasons of his NFL career. In just seven games, Crosby has seven sacks, 12 QB hits and 47 total pressures. He’s already set a career-high in QB hits, and he’s one dominant pass rush away from his top mark in pressures. Crosby has also been a dependable run defender (74.3 grade) this season.”
With Crosby and Ngakoue both in the middle of career years, it’s no surprise the Raiders have had a lot of success on defense. Combine that with the stellar play of cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. and Nate Hobbs and the Raiders have a real chance to make noise in the playoffs because of their defense.
Crosby is well on his way to making the first Pro Bowl of his career and he is among the favorites to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. That is just how good Crosby has been so far this season.
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