ESPN recently updated its list of individual player rankings at their respective positions. On Wednesday, it was time for the edge rushers and you can bet that Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson made the list.

Jeremy Fowler ranks Hendrickson sixth-best in the NFL, which makes sense since he has 35 sacks combined in the last two season. And, his 17.5 quarterback takedowns in 2024 led the league.

“To say Hendrickson carried the Bengals’ defense at times last season is not hyperbole,” Fowler writes. “His 17.5 sacks — his second consecutive season posting that number — comprised 49% of the team’s sack production. He accounted for 32.2% of the team’s total pressures, making him the only defender to have recorded a pressure share above 30%.”

The list doesn’t just crunch a bunch of numbers and offer data that most people don’t understand (some people do it all the time), it takes into account opinions of insiders and executives from around the NFL.

“ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between,” Fowler explains. “This was the sixth edition of these rankings.”

Last year, Hendrickson was ninth on the list and his high-water mark was at No. 3 several years ago.

Hendrickson has the numbers and the street cred

While Hendrickson’s sack numbers are truly impressive, they don’t tell the story of his overall game. They also don’t take into account that he has just about no help along the defensive line. There simply isn’t anyone else to take any attention from him.

“His ability to get to the quarterback by any means necessary is truly impressive,” an AFC scout said. “He can beat you with technique and relentless motor.”

Of course, with all of these accolades it makes you wonder…why haven’t the Bengals extended his contract?

“With four consecutive Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro berth, Hendrickson is undoubtedly one of the NFL’s best free agency signings of the past decade,” Fowler continues. “No wonder he sat out offseason workouts in search of a new contract.”

Hendrickson was also permitted to seek a trade months ago, but nothing ever materialized. It’s not difficult to understand. A team would have to be willing to give up a king’s ransom (it’s the Bengals we are talking about) and give him a big money contract in addition to that. That’s a lot of team resources.

Who was ahead of Hendrickson?

So, what other NFL edge rushers ranked ahead of Cincinnati’s behemoth? It’s not a slight to Hendrickson that he’s behind Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett, Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt, Dallas Cowboys do-it-all Micah Parsons, Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby and San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa.

“Some voters believe Hendrickson does not possess the same high-end traits as those in the top tier,” Fowler concludes. “But he’s so wildly productive that they can’t hate on him.”

One NFL scout agrees and thinks Hendrickson is underrated.

“He’s probably taken for granted a little bit,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Elite player all the way.”