The Cincinnati Bengals protection didn’t sack opposing quarterbacks fairly often in 2022, solely registering 30 sacks, which put them in twenty ninth place all through the common season.

The staff nonetheless solely misplaced within the AFC Championship sport to the eventual Tremendous Bowl winners by a last-second discipline objective, so it didn’t kill the staff, however it was a step again from the staff’s 2021 season.

The Bengals acted by deciding on Clemson Tigers edge rusher Myles Murphy with the No. 28 general decide within the 2023 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, Murphy goes by means of some rising pains and is probably not able to make a significant impression in 12 months 1, whereas Joseph Ossai is already coping with a major harm.

The Bengals’ greatest go rusher recorded 20 sacks all through the common and postseason in 2021 however solely 9 in 2022. Nevertheless, his go rush grade, based on Professional Soccer Focus, really elevated in 2022.

Who am I speaking about? You already know it’s……

Trey Hendrickson

• Top: 6-4
• Weight: 270 lbs.
• Age: 28
• School: Florida Atlantic College
• Hometown: Orlando, Florida
• Expertise: 6 years

Cap Standing

Proper as coaching camp started, the Bengals and Hendrickson agreed to a one-year extension price a complete of $21 million. As a part of the extension, the Bengals gave Hendrickson an $8 million signing bonus in 2023 and elevated his wage for this 12 months by $5 million, based on Over The Cap.

In 2024, Hendrickson has a cap hit of simply over $20 million. His 2025 cap hit is $18.7 million.

Background

Hendrickson was chosen out of FAU within the third spherical of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. The decide used to pick Hendrickson was acquired from the New England Patriots in trade for extensive receiver Brandon Cooks.

Hendrickson recorded simply 9 sacks over his first three seasons with the Saints, with simply two in his rookie 12 months, none on this second 12 months (he solely appeared in 5 video games in 2018), and 7 in his third 12 months (2019).

Nevertheless, within the final 12 months of his rookie contract (2020), he exploded with 14 sacks and a PFF pass-rush grade of 77.0. The Bengals signed him to a four-year, $60 million contract earlier than the 2021 season to interchange edge rusher Carl Lawson, who signed with the New York Jets in free company.

Hendrickson instantly confirmed the Bengals it was cash nicely spent as he racked up 20 sacks all through the 2021 common and postseason, serving to the Bengals not solely win their first playoff sport in over 30 years but in addition attain the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time because the Nineteen Eighties.

Hendrickson seemingly took a step again in 2022, recording solely 9 sacks. Nevertheless, his go rush grade really improved from 2021 to 2022. In 2021, Hendrickson earned an 86.9 pass-rush grade from PFF. He recorded 20 sacks, 14 hits, and 53 hurries. Then in 2022, he recorded 9 sacks, 19 hits, and 46 hurries for a pass-rush grade of 87.7.

Outlook for 2023 season

Hendrickson is the perfect go rusher alongside the Bengals’ defensive position.

Sure, the staff additionally has Joseph Ossai and reverse defensive finish Sam Hubbard, and whereas each gamers have been very productive, neither of them has the penchant for dashing the passer from the sting that Hendrickson has. And Ossai will miss the early a part of the common season with a excessive ankle harm.

Hendrickson’s pass-rush skill stems from a refined set of pass-rush strikes, together with a side-scissor transfer that makes use of his quickness. He makes use of his leverage to spice up his power and mitigate the detrimental impression of getting shorter-than-normal arms for a 4-3 defensive finish. He additionally has a continuous motor. A lot of his sacks have been on second makes an attempt whereas the quarterback is trying downfield for an open receiver.

Many Bengals followers, myself included, have been upset on the departure of Lawson, who had 20 sacks over his 4 years with the Bengals. There was a common sense that Lawson was a “creator,” and Hendrickson was not however benefited from creators like Cam Jordan whereas with the Saints. That clearly has turned out to be not the case. Hendrickson has been each little bit of a go rusher as Lawson, after which some as nicely.

With the addition of Murphy within the edge rusher place, Hendrickson will hopefully be saved more energizing all through the season, permitting him to be simply as productive, if no more productive, and hopefully, that productiveness interprets to extra sacks.