KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Raiders select Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford with the 67th overall pick
- Former basketball player didn’t pick up football until senior year of high school
- Elite athleticism: 6’4″, 253 lbs with twitchy explosiveness and 4.3s-range motor
- Third-Team All-SEC in 2025 with 5.0 sacks, 43 total pressures (4th in SEC per PFF)
- Projects as rotational “Buck” rusher to learn alongside Maxx Crosby
HENDERSON, NV – The Las Vegas Raiders continued their defensive overhaul on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford with the 67th overall pick.
While the pick may be viewed as “rogue” by those expecting an offensive weapon for new franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the selection of Crawford fits a very specific mold the Raiders have established under GM John Spytek: high-upside athleticism combined with a relentless competitive motor.
The Player: A Late Bloomer with Elite Upside
Crawford is the definition of a developmental prospect with a sky-high ceiling. Remarkably, he didn’t pick up a football until his senior year of high school, spending his early years dominating on the basketball court. That hardwood background is evident in his play style – he is a twitchy, explosive athlete who moves with a fluidity rarely seen at 6’4″ and 253 lbs.
After a productive stint at Arkansas State, Crawford made the leap to the SEC in 2024. By 2025, he had fully adjusted to the speed of elite competition, earning Third-Team All-SEC honors. He finished his final season at Auburn with:
- 36 total tackles
- 9.5 tackles for loss
- 5.0 sacks
- 43 total pressures (ranking 4th in the SEC per PFF)
The Fit: Complementing the “Mad Maxx” Philosophy
The logic behind the Crawford pick is simple: you can never have enough pass rushers who can win with speed. Crawford’s best trait is his “twitchy” takeoff; he routinely beats offensive tackles off the snap before they can even set their feet.
In Las Vegas, Crawford won’t be asked to carry the load immediately. Instead, he projects as a high-end rotational “Buck” rusher who can learn from Maxx Crosby. His ability to drop into coverage – a skill he refined in Auburn’s scheme – also gives defensive coordinator Rob Leonard the flexibility to run hybrid looks that keep opposing quarterbacks guessing.
The Scouting Report
Analysts have frequently compared Crawford to NFL veteran Samson Ebukam due to his pursuit speed and versatility. While his run defense and hand technique are still maturing, his raw tools are undeniable.
- The Good: Elite lateral agility, impressive closing speed, and a 4.3s-range motor. He doesn’t just chase plays; he finishes them.
- The Development: Needs to expand his pass-rush repertoire beyond the initial speed burst and continue adding functional strength to anchor against NFL-sized offensive linemen.
The Verdict
By selecting Crawford at No. 67, the Raiders are betting on their coaching staff’s ability to refine a “diamond in the rough.” If Crawford can translate his SEC production and basketball-player athleticism into a consistent NFL rush, the Raiders may have just found the perfect bookend to pair with their established stars on the defensive front.
The defense is faster. The defense is younger. Now, with the final pick of the third round (No. 91) approaching, all eyes shift back to the offense.
