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For years, the Baltimore Ravens have tried to solve the same problem. They have wanted to find a consistent, game-wrecking pass rusher. They've patched the position with veterans. They've leaned on rotational production. They've manufactured pressure schematically.
At times, they've gotten respectable contributions from players like Matthew Judon, Tyus Bowser, Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, and Justin Houston. Respectable, however, isn't the same thing as dominant, and dominance is exactly what Trey Hendrickson brings.
A recent statistical deep dive from Jason La Canfora served as a useful reminder of just how significant Baltimore’s addition may prove to be. When comparing Hendrickson's production over the past five seasons to the Ravens’ leading pass rusher from each corresponding year, the gap becomes impossible to ignore. In four of the five seasons, Hendrickson won out, and in some cases, it isn't even close.
In 2024, Hendrickson piled up 17.5 sacks, 83 pressures, 36 quarterback hits, and a 17.1 percent pressure rate. Baltimore's leader, Kyle Van Noy, had a strong season by most standards, but even his 12.5 sacks and 52 pressures pale in comparison. Now, rewind the tape another year. Hendrickson again posted 17.5 sacks in 2023, compared to Jadeveon Clowney's 9.5. In 2021, Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks while Tyus Bowser managed seven. In 2020, Hendrickson posted 13.5 sacks while Matthew Judon finished with six.
Even in the one year when the Ravens' sack leader, Justin Houston, notched a higher total (Houston notched 8.5 QB takedowns compared to Hendrickson's 2022 total), Hendrickson still offered broader disruption across all metrics. His pressure numbers that season (62), quarterback hits (24), and hurries (35) reveal consistent efficiency and a player affecting games at a different level.
That's the bigger story here. Sacks make headlines, but consistent pressure changes football games. Baltimore hasn’t employed this type of edge threat since Terrell Suggs was terrorizing quarterbacks. That’s what makes this addition feel so important, and the timing couldn't be better.
The Ravens also added Zion Young, one of the more intriguing young pass-rush prospects from the most recent draft, while still holding hope that Mike Green’s development continues. Suddenly, what was once a glaring weakness begins looking like a legitimate strength.
If Jesse Minter gets what the Cincinnati Bengals got from Hendrickson, Baltimore's defense won't simply improve. It may become terrifying because, for the first time in a long time, the Ravens don't just have pass-rush depth. They may finally have the alpha that they haven't had since Terrell Suggs left the building.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Trey Hendrickson gives Ravens edge force missing since Terrell Suggs
Continue reading...
At times, they've gotten respectable contributions from players like Matthew Judon, Tyus Bowser, Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, and Justin Houston. Respectable, however, isn't the same thing as dominant, and dominance is exactly what Trey Hendrickson brings.
A recent statistical deep dive from Jason La Canfora served as a useful reminder of just how significant Baltimore’s addition may prove to be. When comparing Hendrickson's production over the past five seasons to the Ravens’ leading pass rusher from each corresponding year, the gap becomes impossible to ignore. In four of the five seasons, Hendrickson won out, and in some cases, it isn't even close.
In 2024, Hendrickson piled up 17.5 sacks, 83 pressures, 36 quarterback hits, and a 17.1 percent pressure rate. Baltimore's leader, Kyle Van Noy, had a strong season by most standards, but even his 12.5 sacks and 52 pressures pale in comparison. Now, rewind the tape another year. Hendrickson again posted 17.5 sacks in 2023, compared to Jadeveon Clowney's 9.5. In 2021, Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks while Tyus Bowser managed seven. In 2020, Hendrickson posted 13.5 sacks while Matthew Judon finished with six.
Even in the one year when the Ravens' sack leader, Justin Houston, notched a higher total (Houston notched 8.5 QB takedowns compared to Hendrickson's 2022 total), Hendrickson still offered broader disruption across all metrics. His pressure numbers that season (62), quarterback hits (24), and hurries (35) reveal consistent efficiency and a player affecting games at a different level.
That's the bigger story here. Sacks make headlines, but consistent pressure changes football games. Baltimore hasn’t employed this type of edge threat since Terrell Suggs was terrorizing quarterbacks. That’s what makes this addition feel so important, and the timing couldn't be better.
The Ravens also added Zion Young, one of the more intriguing young pass-rush prospects from the most recent draft, while still holding hope that Mike Green’s development continues. Suddenly, what was once a glaring weakness begins looking like a legitimate strength.
If Jesse Minter gets what the Cincinnati Bengals got from Hendrickson, Baltimore's defense won't simply improve. It may become terrifying because, for the first time in a long time, the Ravens don't just have pass-rush depth. They may finally have the alpha that they haven't had since Terrell Suggs left the building.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Trey Hendrickson gives Ravens edge force missing since Terrell Suggs
Continue reading...
