COJ: Ravens Must Bolster Pass Rush

The Ravens pass pass rush must improve!

Talk about the understatement of the century! The Ravens pass rush was an issue heading into training camp in 2025. It was obvious throughout camp and well before the trade deadline. Well, it was obvious to everyone but those who mattered most – the Ravens front office and coaching staff.

The Ravens counted on Kyle Van Noy to continue to defy Father Time. They expected Odafe Oweh to play inspired football in a contract season. They hoped that rookie Mike Green would play like a prospect with first-round grades. By season’s end, the trio contributed 5 1/2 sacks to the Ravens pass rush. It goes without saying, this needs to change, and it appears that the team’s brass finally realizes it. The question now is, “What are they going to do about it?”

Eric DeCosta hasn’t made many big splashes in free agency. It has long been the Ravens modus operandi to seek bargain free agents, mostly former stars in the November of their respective careers. The splashes EDC has made too often morph into belly flops. Earl Thomas and Marcus Williams immediately come to mind.

DeCosta could roll the dice and hope that a player like Rueben Bain, Jr. falls to them at No. 14 in this year’s NFL Draft. Let’s not forget that a Top 10 talent fell to them in 2022 when they turned in the card for Kyle Hamilton at No. 14, hence the number that the All-Pro defender dons. But that approach is too risky. The Ravens must beef up their pass rush and it needs to be something more than a draft day wish or a Khalil Mack signing, who turns 35 on February 22. So, it should come as no surprise who some analysts project for the Ravens this offseason.

Jay Glazer believes Maxx Crosby’s time with the Raiders is over and the price to trade for him will be more than what Micah Parsons went for.

Micah was traded for two 1st round picks and Kenny Clark. The Bears have to pay a big price tag if they want Maxx.

: @YahooSports pic.twitter.com/3vreEHwR8P

— Bearsszn (@bearszn) February 4, 2026

Maxx Crosby would be the ideal solution. He would deliver so many things that the Ravens defense is currently missing. He would instantly lift Anthony Weaver’s side of the ball to a Top 10 defense. But at what price? If Jay Glazer is correct in saying that Crosby would bring more in a trade than Micah Parsons (two 1’s and a Pro Bowl player), if I’m Eric DeCosta, I’ve got two words: “Check please!”

I’m out!

Not only is that an exorbitant price to pay in the form of player and draft capital, but Crosby will also more than likely want a new market value deal. Is one player worth all of that?

Back in 2022 the Ravens sent a 2nd round pick, a 5th and AJ Klein to Chicago for Roquan Smith. That deal worked out initially. Fast forward to 2026 and now analysts are exploring the cap savings the Ravens would enjoy by parting ways with Roquan. Make no mistake about it, Maxx Crosby is a far more impactful player than Smith, but it represents a risky proposition for DeCosta if it doesn’t work out. That kind of deal could make or break EDC’s career.

Maybe the answer at edge for the Ravens pass rush lies in the form of an AFC North rival, Trey Hendrickson. The 4-time Pro Bowler is a restricted free agent and according to Spotrac, is projected to land a new contract with an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $25 million to $25.5 million. Spotrac estimates a two-year, $50.9 million deal for the 31-year-old defender.

Plus, Hendrickson doesn’t come with the price tag of trade assets, aka excessive draft capital!

Here’s a comparative look at the production of the two players over the past three seasons.

Clearly Crosby is the better player against the run, but does he offer more value than Hendrickson. If Spotrac is spot on with their salary projection for Hendrickson, that seems like a fair number for a player who had 17 ½ sacks in both 2023 and 2024. Plus, the Ravens get to keep draft capital that could be used to further bolster their pass rush and replace the turnstiles that wear nos. 72 and 77.

All things being equal, I’m down with Crosby every day of the week and twice on game day. But since all things are not equal, my vote goes to Trey Hendrickson.

You think he’d be pumped to take down Joe Burrow twice per season?

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/02/05/cup-of-joe/ravens-pass-rush-2026/