Chase said, “I wanna go with your boy from Vegas, though. Maxx Crosby,” while Higgins added, “Hey Maxx, man, come on to the Bengals, man.” Host Kay Adams acknowledged the pair’s pick and said she could “see him in Cincy.” The exchange underscored a shared wish from Cincinnati’s WR duo to bolster the defense with Crosby.
The request comes as the Bengals continue to confront notable defensive struggles. In 2025, Cincinnati ranked 26th in passing defense, 31st in total defense, and dead last (32nd) in rushing defense, yielding about 380.9 yards per game and 60 total touchdowns allowed. The slide extended to 2024, when the team was 25th in total defense, with 25 points allowed per game and 348 yards per game surrendered.
In their latest mock draft roundup 2.0, Cincinnati’s attention skewed heavily toward defense, listing several defensive linemen such as Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr., Peter Woods, and Keldric Faulk. The emphasis signals the organization’s priority on stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback as it builds toward the 2026 season.
Maxx Crosby’s potential move would come with a hefty price tag. Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with the Raiders in 2025, setting the stage for substantial trade discussions if Cincinnati pursued him. With Joe Burrow orchestrating a potent offense alongside Chase and Higgins, a Crosby addition could reshape Cincinnati’s competitive arc, though it would depend on whether the Bengals are willing to meet the cost of such a transformative upgrade.
