Crosby’s Curveball: Why the Ravens Chose Hendrickson

Barely a full day following their withdrawal from the Maxx Crosby deal, the Baltimore Ravens executed the most advantageous action at hand to substantially bolster a struggling pass-rushing unit by finalizing an agreement with unrestricted agent Trey Hendrickson.

On Wednesday, Baltimore concluded a four-year, $112 million pact with Hendrickson, as informed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s sources, an event that concluded an astonishing series of occurrences which has captivated the league’s focus throughout the preceding 24-hour period.

The Ravens have attracted disapproval within league spheres for rapidly shifting their focus to Hendrickson subsequent to revoking a trade for Crosby, a transaction that would have entailed relinquishing first-round draft selections in 2026 and 2027. According to league insiders who spoke with ESPN, medical apprehensions surfaced for the Ravens during Crosby’s Tuesday physical examination.

By progressing past the Crosby situation, Baltimore still managed to secure a four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher in Hendrickson, who remained available on the unrestricted agent market for a longer duration than anticipated, without needing to surrender substantial draft assets. Hendrickson had garnered attention from several teams (the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, as per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s sources) during the initial few days of the free agency period commencing, nevertheless, the Ravens executed a bold maneuver to finalize an agreement by Wednesday morning.

Jamison Hensley, ESPN’s Ravens correspondent; Ben Solak, an NFL Commentator; and Dan Graziano, a national NFL journalist, address urgent inquiries regarding the Ravens’ procurement of Hendrickson.

Does the Ravens’ lineup possess a more favorable standing presently compared to its state a day earlier?

The squad itself is not enhanced. Crosby excels as a more versatile defensive end compared to Hendrickson, given his significant superiority as a run stopper and remains a formidable pass-rushing threat, even if his sack figures aren’t identical. Furthermore, Crosby is three years Hendrickson’s junior; which nearly covers the entire duration of the contract under which the Ravens would have retained Crosby.

Nonetheless, one could contend that the combined roster and resources are more advantageous now, considering the Ravens have Hendrickson and retain those two first-round selections that would have been involved in the Crosby transaction. When that 14th overall pick materializes into an athlete—perhaps a cornerback like LSU’s Mansoor Delane or a wide receiver such as USC’s Makai Lemon—the comparison will then involve Crosby versus Hendrickson augmented by that individual. Moreover, the 2027 first-round draft choice is still impending.

Currently, the team composition is less favorable… yet circumstances might ultimately align for the Ravens. — Solak

In what manner do Hendrickson and Crosby stack up against each other?

They yield an equivalent degree of output concerning the pass rush, an aspect the Ravens urgently require enhancement in. Commencing in 2019, Hendrickson has amassed 79 sacks, exceeding Crosby’s total by 10 within that timeframe. Hendrickson has additionally registered a 12.3% pressure rate across the last seven campaigns, a figure surpassing Crosby’s 10.4% pressure rate. Furthermore, akin to Crosby, Hendrickson has achieved four seasons with double-digit sacks since 2019. Within that timeframe, Baltimore has only seen two edge rushers surpass 10 sacks: Kyle Van Noy (12.5 in 2024) and Odafe Oweh (10 in 2024).

Hendrickson does not exhibit the same proficiency as a run defender as Crosby, however, the Ravens possess Tavius Robinson, capable of anchoring the edge during initial downs. For an extended period, Baltimore has been missing a formidable edge rusher. The Ravens’ current roster of outside linebackers—Robinson, Mike Green, Adisa Isaac, and Kaimon Rucker—collectively possess 12.5 career sacks. — Hensley

In what way will Hendrickson integrate with the Ravens’ defense?

Similarly to Crosby, Hendrickson presents himself as an unyielding pass-rusher, injecting fervor into each play, an attribute that aligns with the “Play like a Raven” ethos. Moreover, precisely as Baltimore had conceived with Crosby, the Ravens’ defensive unit requires Hendrickson to be a pivotal performer during crucial moments. Hendrickson’s count of 33 sacks accumulated in the fourth quarter and overtime stands as the NFL’s highest since 2019. He possesses the potential to serve as a finisher for Baltimore, a team that has squandered an NFL-leading 16 leads during the concluding five minutes of contests over the preceding five seasons.

This represents an atypical action undertaken by the Ravens due to their hesitancy in securing veteran pass-rushers with lucrative contracts since Terrell Suggs departed in 2018. However, Baltimore executed this significant gambit as their draft selections (Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Isaac) have performed below expectations during their tenure with the squad. The previous season signified the initial occasion since the Ravens’ inaugural 1996 campaign where they lacked an edge rusher tallying more than 4.5 sacks. — Hensley

Will the aborted Crosby transaction impact the Ravens’ forthcoming deal-making capabilities over the long run?

I question its likelihood. In theory, it might cause the Raiders, or conceivably Crosby’s representatives, to harbor some unfavorable sentiments regarding the Ravens and their reliability in prospective future negotiations with Baltimore. Nevertheless, organizations consistently act in accordance with their own optimal interests, and representatives invariably prioritize their clients’ welfare. Therefore, allowing ill will (should it even exist) to influence subsequent agreements would constitute poor business practice.

Currently, numerous conspiracy proponents throughout the league are discreetly casting aspersions upon the Ravens, yet the reality is that nothing is finalized until the commencement of the league year, and occasionally these agreements simply unravel. — Graziano