The Baltimore Ravens have traded two first round picks, including #14 this year, to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby.

Increasingly in the last 24-48 hours the Ravens and Cowboys were touted as the most likely suitors.

The Seahawks were unquestionably checking in on this. Crosby was a perfect fit. Bringing him in would’ve put them in prime position to seriously contend again in 2026. The price tag — two firsts — was also very reasonable.

You can’t compete with a top-15 pick though. Not when you own the last pick in round one.

So what now for the Seahawks?

First and foremost, I’d be getting on the phone to DeMarcus Lawrence’s representatives to see if there’s a way to sweeten the pot to convince him to play for one more season. That would mean the Seahawks only definitely needing to replace Boye Mafe on their defensive line (although Uchenna Nwosu’s $19m cap-hit needs addressing).

Secondly, I’d be content to let the market come to you. I wouldn’t want the Seahawks to ‘do a Buffalo’ and overpay for a veteran. Giving up #64 for Jonathan Greenard, for example, doesn’t excite me.

Greenard was never the quickest to begin with, as highlighted by a 1.71 10-yard split at his combine. He’s not getting any faster as he prepares to turn 29 in May. He’s coming off a three-sack season where he had some injury issues. I don’t think this is worth pursuing.

Crosby was the one to go for. Now that he is no longer available, the best thing I think they can do is look for other ways to improve. Are there other positions you can target? You can’t force an upgraded edge rush if the options aren’t there on the veteran market. Can you improve your offensive line? Add another weapon to your passing game? Can you improve at cornerback?

Look for value. Make the best of a mediocre draft class. Embrace the possibility that the one headline move that was out there simply wasn’t possible for the Seahawks to execute without going way beyond their comfort zone.

After all, they just won a Super Bowl without an elite edge rusher. Mike Macdonald also had success in Baltimore with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy as his main outside rushers.

My fear is that #32, as awkwardly placed as it might be from a value sense in this draft, could be burning a hole in their pocket. The Crosby decision could set off a chain reaction of other moves and the Seahawks might react this weekend.

I’m struggling to think of a trade for #32 I’d now prefer over letting the draft come to you. If that means taking a chance on a Cashius Howell type to replace Mafe, investing in your O-line again, going with the top cornerback on your board or claiming another young weapon — all of those options seem reasonable.