Logically Crocodile is somehow still going to play a role, though that doesn't mean that's him. Well I understand how you see him in that person and it's not impossible, though there is no real indication that it's him as there are more characters who smoke cigars and you can't even see with which hand he is holding the newspaper. From our point of view he could easily hold it with two hands or even just with his left. Also he's isn't wearing his usual mobster cloak.
His hair seems smooth, just like Crocodile's, still that could just be shadow. Following the flow of the chapter it's very possible it's him, but likewise it could just be someone else.