The Indianapolis Colts could very well be on a trek to the Super Bowl. The offense is ridiculously efficient, and, barring injuries, there is no reason for that to truly change much. The defense has survived, despite several cornerbacks being hurt.
Still, it is the defense under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo that could hold the team back from real greatness. The team is slow to pressure, which makes a banged-up secondary. According to ESPN, Indy is 28th in pass-rush win rate at 31 percent.
One way to address the issue is to acquire better players. Laiatu Latu has been good, but Indianapolis's other edge rushers have been inconsistent. Trading for former Anarumo disciple Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby would be a quick fix.
Indianapolis Colts' perfect trade package for Raiders' Maxx Crosby is meaningless
To be sure, neither the Cincinnati Bengals nor the Las Vegas Raiders has said they will be shopping Hendrickson or Crosby, respectively, ahead of the NFL's November 4 trade deadline, but the right package might entice them to do so. The Colts might be in a better position to try to acquire Crosby.
The Indianapolis Colts could offer Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders a package that includes a first-round draft pick as well as quarterback Anthony Richardson in return for Maxx Crosby. Vegas traded for quarterback Geno Smith this past offseason, but he has not shown to be a long-term answer. He might have to be, though.
The Raiders are stuck with Smith for a couple of seasons, though. The team signed him to an extension, so financially, it will be bad to let him walk now. That makes it better for Richardson. He wouldn't be expected to necessarily play this season or even early next year.
Raiders coach Pete Carroll was interested in drafting Richardson in 2023, too. There would clearly be an interest in AR5. No team is going to overpay for Crosby (or any other player at this year's deadline), so multiple first-round picks would not be warranted. One and Richardson could be enough.
But it won't happen. The biggest reason is that Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard doesn't like to do mid-season trades, especially ones as big as adding Crosby. Instead, Indy will probably ride out what they have and hope that is good enough by the time the playoffs happen.
Indianapolis probably cannot afford Maxx Crosby. The Colts would owe the edge rusher $20.3 million the rest of the season, and Indy only has a bit less than $4 million in projected cap space. A player or two would need to be released to make room for Crosby, and that isn't going to happen.
The other reason is that, even as bad as Las Vegas is, a trade of Crosby doesn't help them much. He is signed through 2029, and even while he is very expensive, the Raiders have the cap space to easily afford him, even after extending Geno Smith.
The Indianapolis Colts need edge rusher help. Acquiring Maxx Crosby from the Raiders would help. It won't happen.