5 reasons Ravens signing Trey Hendrickson is better than trading for Maxx Crosby

The Ravens saw their blockbuster trade for Raiders' edge pass rusher Maxx Crosby fall through. They were fortunate to have a quick fallback plan — signing now former Bengals edge pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson was Sporting News’ top-rated unrestricted free agent. But was Baltimore smart to make such a quick pivot from Crosby to win the sweepstakes to take Hendrickson from division rival Cincinnati

Here are five reasons the Ravens’ reevaluating the Raiders deal and rejecting Crosby and rebounding with Hendrickson is the better outcome:

MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team grades | Best players available

5 reasons Ravens signing Trey Hendrickson is better than Maxx Crosby trade

The Ravens can keep their first-round draft picks in 2026 & 2027

This is the obvious advantage. The Ravens still have the opportunity to add an impact player at No. 14 overall on April 23 and hold on to their top pick next year, too. Don't blame the Ravens for having reasonable doubts about whether Crosby, working to get healthy from his knee (meniscus) injury, was worth giving up two significant future considerations.

Trey Hendrickson is less of a short-term injury risk than Maxx Crosby

Hendrickson did have an injury-riddled 2025 season, dropping his pass-rush production in his final season of his otherwise strong Bengals tenure. He first had issues with back and hip injuries in October and needed to have core muscle surgery in December. Hendrickson is also 31, while Crosby is 28. 

Hendrickson's injuries are more linear and seem to be less of a concern, but Crosby currently rehabbing his knee in the offseason, should worry teams. 

Trey Hendrickson can make a better schematic transition from end in the Ravens’ defense 

Hendrickson has played 4-3 defensive end throughout his career with the Bengals. He broke out with his first big sack season (13.5) playing that position for the Saints in 2020. His free-agent signing with the Bengals was key to getting them to Super Bowl 56 after the 2021 season.

Before delivering for defensive coordinators Dennis Allen and Lou Anarumo at the end, Hendrickson spent his first three seasons in New Orleans as an outside linebacker. 

Crosby has always played end since being drafted by the Ravens in 2019. Baltimore's new defensive braintrust, Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver, will keep their 3-4 foundation and should be able to mold Hendrickson as a hybrid better into remaining effective getting to the quarterback. He can be either impactful, starting opposite Mike Green on the second level with some opportunity to rush from the inside of the three-man front.

MORE MAXX CROSBY NEWS: 

• Why Maxx Crosby's trade to Ravens fell through
• What's next for Maxx Crosby after ending up back on Raiders?

Trey Hendrickson is a cheaper investment than Maxx Crosby

Hendrickson got a four-year, $112 million contract upon joining the Ravens. That is $28 million in average annual salary and with $60 million of the contract guaranteed, or a little more than half of the deal. Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders in March 2025, putting him at $35.5 million per season with $91.5 million overall guaranteed.

Crosby will turn 29 in August. Hendrickson turns 32 in December. But for the Ravens' purposes, they were looking at who could provide more pass-rush bang for the buck over the next two years. That discount on a slightly older player who can have the same on-field impact is significant.

The Ravens can better manage their salary cap for this season and beyond 

Crosby, with his Raiders' contract, was set to count $35.791 million against the salary cap in 2026 with the number going down to $29.782 million in 2027.  Although Hendrickson's cap numbers are yet to be determined, he won't carry that same burden in restricting the Ravens' spending elsewhere.

Crosby had to be a much better acquisition than Hendrickson to make up for the fact that he came at a much higher price, personnel and contract-wise. The Ravens shouldn't get heat for not wanting an unhealthy Crosby, but rather praise for being able to still land Hendrickson.