Bengals: Trey Hendrickson cracks NFL Top 100
By Kristen Wong
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson recently made the NFL Top 100 list along with teammate Jessie Bates. For the list, NFL players vote for who they think is the best in the league, so it does have quite a bit of credibility.
Last year, no Bengals player was included in the Top 100, but having two guys this season should bode well for 2021.
Hendrickson ranks 73rd on the list, sandwiched between New York Giants corner James Bradberry (74th) and New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (72nd).
Hendrickson, a “prize acquisition for the Bengals,” warrants his inclusion after he recorded 13.5 sacks and 25 quarterback hits for the Saints in 2020. That sack number not only tied for second-most in the NFL but also accounted for more than double his career total at the time.
After his 2020 breakout season in which he played a career-high 53 percent of snaps, Hendrickson joined the Bengals on a much more lucrative deal than the Saints were willing to offer him.
Despite being plagued with injuries for his first three pro seasons, Hendrickson will be expected to continue his high production in Cincinnati by filling in for Carl Lawson on the defensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals sack artist Trey Hendrickson ranks respectably on NFL 100 list
It’s definitely nice to see Hendrickson recognized after his illustrious fourth season on the Saints. That being said, sacks are just one of many statistical categories, and Hendrickson will have to prove he can be more than just a situational pass rusher.
No one in Cincinnati would oppose Hendrickson having another sack-crazy year, though.
The rest of the Top 100 (1-40) have yet to be released, and we could still see more Bengals make the list. Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon immediately come to mind despite Burrow’s shortened season (Hey, they ranked Michael Thomas above Hendrickson).
Receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd also could feature given their strong 2020 performances.
For now, Hendrickson remains the highest-ranking Bengals player who has earned the most respect of his colleagues.
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We hope that making this list isn’t the end for Hendrickson’s breakout career, just the beginning.