Trades to Make: Cincinnati Bengals Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson

The NFL has seen several high-profile trades in recent weeks, but there's still time for teams to shake things up. In Trades to Make, we'll cover some of the best players who could be on the move before the November 5th trade deadline.

Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson

The Cincinnati Bengals haven't exactly lit the world on fire in the early portion of the 2024 regular season. At 3-5, they're already nearly out of the playoff hunt and now face the possibility of missing the postseason for a second consecutive year. If they're going to become contenders again, they may need to make some hard decisions now to better position themselves for the future.

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is coming off three consecutive Pro Bowls and is well on his way to a fourth with 7.0 sacks through eight starts, but he's a 29-year-old veteran who has already expressed dissatisfaction with the Bengals. If any team out there is eager to take a considerable swing to improve their defense, Hendrickson could be their best option.

Who should be interested?

Hendrickson is a reliable, productive pass rusher with length, speed, and power who should fit in any scheme. He has notched an excellent 60.0 sacks over his last 71 appearances and is still playing at a dominant level. He could very well be the most impactful player to make a move this trade deadline.

Acquiring Hendrickson will require a significant investment. Not only will the Bengals demand a high draft pick in any trade, Hendrickson is approaching his 30th birthday and has pressed for contract adjustments before. If he demands a new contract, the deal will likely extend into his mid-thirties and potentially into his waning years.

The Detroit Lions lost superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a broken fibula and tibia in October, and they desperately need a replacement along the edge. Their offense also scores a league-best 33.4 points per game, so they can keep their opponents playing catch-up. When Hutchinson eventually returns, Hendrickson could provide a devastating bookend for at least a couple more seasons.

The Washington Commanders suddenly find themselves with a very bright future thanks to the rapid ascent of first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. Given his rookie contract means they'll have cap space to spare for years to come, the Commanders should begin building out their roster immediately. Hendrickson could go a long way to making their defense more playoff-ready.