The Las Vegas Raiders have playoff ambitions this season and a clear goal of improving their defense in particular. At this point, the centerpiece of their defense efforts remains Maxx Crosby, but the team is engaged in numerous negotiations about transfers.
The most important addition should be Trey Hendrickson, but there are others in the works. In this article, we’ll discuss the efforts to improve the pass rush roster and how it will affect the team and its chances in the season and the playoffs.
Who is Trey Hendrickson and why he matters…
Experts who follow crypto sports football betting claim that Hendrickson has become one of the dominant defensive players in all of football. These sites allow players to make crypto wagers on every defensive metric available, often in the form of over/under bets. The odds are almost always in favor of Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson is a four-time Pro Bowler and 2024 First-Team All-Pro. He has posted back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks with the Cincinnati Bengals before. His most important quality is the ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. The Bengals have allowed him to seek a trade, and the Raiders are now looking to sign him up.
Does Hendrickson make sense in Vegas?
Most agree that Hendrickson would work well with the Raiders and not only in terms of boosting their defense. Experts from Cryptomaniaks also wrote about the business side of the team, with Tom Brady in the ownership group and Pete Carroll at the helm, suggesting that such a transfer would signal the team’s seriousness about the future.
The research shows that as many as 60 percent of fans agree that Hendrickson would be a great addition to the team. In general, the fans agree that the defense line, in particular, should be improved as soon as possible.
Why it may not happen…
The main reason against the transfer may be its cost. Crosby recently signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension. The contract also included salary cap commitments. Based on the previous contracts, Hendrickson wouldn’t agree to anything lower than $30 million per season.
The team doesn’t have the funds to handle two such contracts at once without compromising on numerous other expenses. The trade cost is also an important consideration. Cincinnati wants a first-round pick plus a young player in return. The Raiders want to develop young talent, and this may be a deal-breaker for them.
Internal options for Raiders
The Raiders have several internal options if Hendrickson doesn’t progress. The team, in general, always faces a dilemma between elevating players from within its roster and making transfers. Some of the best options out there include:
- Tyree Wilson, a 2023 first-round pick, has had a quiet rookie year but has shown signs of big progress. If he’s able to step up, there may not be a need for an expensive veteran.
- Charles Snowden and Andre Carter II both want a role at the defensive end. At this point, it seems there’s more of a chance Snowden will be a part of the 53-man roster.
- The team also added Thomas Booker IV, acquired from the Eagles. He’s not much of a threat to pass-rush, but he improves the defensive depth overall.
Alternatives beyond Hendrickson
There are also alternative transfer options beyond Hendrickson to consider, and the team has shown signs of considering them. These are more affordable options, and when combined with changes in the team in general, they could end up being as useful as getting Hendrickson.
- Leonard Williams of the Giants provides a versatile option that can be used across the defensive line. He’s also played under Patrick Graham, the Raiders’ defensive coordinator. Williams would cost the team less, both in terms of salary and trade compensation, but is a veteran who can serve as a leader on defense.
- Dante Fowler Jr. of the Cowboys is considered to be another option. He’s a rotational pass rusher, and that’s a way to boost the defense in the short term. However, if the team wants to change the defensive line in the long run, they’ll need to consider a different player who could stay within the roster for at least three seasons.
To sum up…
The Raiders are seeking a way to bolster their defensive line and are looking for a pass-rush upgrade. Some have claimed that Trey Hendrickson is the best choice to fill that role. In many ways, that’s true since the qualities he has are exactly what the team needs.
However, such a transfer would be very costly, and it may not be feasible at the moment. There are alternatives, such as developing some of the talent the Raiders already have or finding a less expensive transfer option.
*Top Photo: Getty Images