The Ravens made a loud offseason move when they brought in Trey Hendrickson, and they paid for it like a team that knew exactly what it was buying. Baltimore handed out nine free-agent signings, three multi-year deals, and $96.75 million in guaranteed money, with the biggest swing coming at the one spot that needed it most: pass rush.
That’s why Hendrickson’s latest snub stands out. In a top-10 pass rusher list put together by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, the 31-year-old didn’t crack the group. He did land in the honorable mentions, but even there, one personnel member took a shot at his profile.
“‘[Hendrickson's] been a great performer but doesn't have the dominant traits as some of the others, so when age and injuries pile up, it's harder for him to stay toward the top.’”
That criticism doesn’t line up neatly with what Hendrickson has actually done on the field. Since 2020, he has racked up 74.5 sacks, which is the third-best total among NFL pass rushers.
Only Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have more, and both of them are on the same list, with Garrett at No. 1 and Watt at No.
So yes, the injury concern is real enough to mention. Hendrickson is coming back from a hip and pelvis injury that ended his season early last year, and 2026 will naturally bring questions about how he holds up. But outside of 2025, he has usually been available, and several players ranked ahead of him have dealt with their own injury issues.
Watt has been hit by injuries repeatedly and is heading into his age-31 season. Nick Bosa, who came in at No. 8, is coming off the second torn ACL of his career and will turn 29 in 2026. Different voters clearly weighed different things, but using injury concern to push Hendrickson down the board feels shaky when some of the league’s top edge rushers are carrying similar baggage.
For Baltimore, though, the debate only matters so much. Hendrickson is set up to be the team’s top pass rusher, and the Ravens will give him every chance to show why they invested so heavily.
With talented outside linebackers and interior defensive linemen around him, he should have favorable matchups. The opportunity is there for him to answer the doubters quickly.
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