The San Francisco 49ers might need to make another major move if they want to keep up with their NFC West brethren.

As well-constructed as the 49ers are, they face an absolute battle just to maintain pace in their ultra-competitive division. Their two primary rivals — the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks — have positioned themselves as formidable threats. The Rams recently pulled off one of the biggest moves of the offseason by acquiring reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, coming off a season in which they advanced to within a possession of the NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks. Meanwhile, the Seahawks return the bulk of their Super Bowl-winning core (minus Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker) as they bid to repeat as champions.

In this high-stakes environment, the 49ers cannot afford to stand still. According to a proposed hypothetical trade scenario from Bleacher Report writer Alex Kay, San Francisco could acquire Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby in exchange for a package of draft picks: a 2027 first-rounder, a 2027 third-rounder, and a 2028 third-rounder.

Crosby had previously been traded to the Baltimore Ravens earlier in the offseason, but that deal was nullified after he failed a physical. The Ravens trade would have netted the Raiders two first-round picks. Now, with health concerns potentially lowering his trade value, the 49ers could step in with a more modest but still significant offer.

“An organization like the San Francisco 49ers, who appear to be a piece or two away from making yet another Super Bowl run, could offer a first-round pick plus additional compensation for Crosby,” Kay wrote. “He may not net Vegas another set of first-rounders after failing Baltimore’s physical because of health concerns, but some Day 2 picks could be enough to get the Raiders to move on from Crosby for a second time this offseason.”

Why Maxx Crosby Being Traded Would Make Sense

Crosby has been the subject of trade rumors for some time. Those rumors materialized when the Raiders attempted to deal the five-time Pro Bowler. Despite the drama, Crosby addressed the situation during a recent open OTA session with a mix of candor and resilience.

“I don’t really want to talk about that, to be honest,” Crosby said. “It was a long time ago. A lot of things I learned about what’s going on, what this league can bring. A lot of adversity, a lot of different things, you can’t really anticipate a lot. But ultimately, I’ve been through a lot in my life. It is what it is. I’m here. I want to be here. And I’m excited to be here.”

On the field, Crosby remains a dominant force. Even though a meniscus injury ended his season prematurely, he still delivered a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign, recording 10 sacks, a career-high 28 tackles for loss, and his first career interception.

Why the 49ers Need a Maxx Crosby-Type Trade to Maintain Pace

Pairing Crosby alongside Nick Bosa — the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year — would create one of the most feared edge-rushing tandems in the NFL. Such a move could immediately elevate the 49ers to legitimate Super Bowl contenders and help them close the gap on their division rivals.

“Considering how much of a force Crosby has been despite being saddled with lackluster teammates, he could take his game to another level in the Bay Area,” Kay noted. “Bookending him with Nick Bosa… would give San Francisco arguably the best edge rushing tandem in the NFL. While the costs of acquiring Crosby will be high, that investment would be well worth it for a 49ers team desperate to return to the top of the NFC West and finally claim a Lombardi Trophy under head coach Kyle Shanahan.”

The potential acquisition carries risk, particularly given Crosby’s recent injury history and the failed physical that voided the Ravens deal. However, in a division where the Rams just landed a Defensive Player of the Year and the Seahawks are built to repeat, bold moves are often necessary.

While the deal remains hypothetical and is likely a long shot, the landscape of the NFC West has shown that unexpected blockbuster trades can happen — as evidenced by the Rams’ aggressive pursuit of Garrett. If the 49ers are serious about contending at the highest level, targeting a proven disruptor like Maxx Crosby could be the exact spark their defense needs.

The NFC West is already one of the toughest divisions in football. Adding Crosby to the mix would turn up the heat even further — and put the rest of the conference on notice.