The AFC North has seen some major drama unfold in the early part of the offseason. The Baltimore Ravens initially traded for Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, but backed out over medical concerns.
It was a stunning twist, and initially, it seemed like good news for the Cincinnati Bengals. Crosby wasn’t coming to the division anymore. But, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning that Trey Hendrickson is joining the Ravens instead.
While seeing Hendrickson leave for the Ravens might sting, this entire situation is actually some good news for the Bengals this offseason for multiple reasons. The biggest one? Compensatory draft picks.
Trey Hendrickson Ravens’ deal is good news for Bengals
With Hendrickson going to the Ravens on a massive $112 million deal over four years, coming in at $28 million per-season, the Ravens are spending a lot of capital on a top-tier pass rusher this offseason.
From the Bengals’ perspective, they will now land a very strong compensatory pick, likely in the third round, as long as they play the compensatory pick game right.
So far this offseason, the Bengals have added Boye Mafe on a $60 million, three-year deal and Bryan Cook on a $40.25 million three-year deal.
Those two could cancel out Hendrickson, but thanks to Joseph Ossai joining the New York Jets on a $34.5 million deal and Noah Fant going to the New Orleans Saints, the Bengals could be in line for a compensatory draft pick next year.
There are also a few others who could help bring back compensatory picks, or at least make Hendrickson’s compensatory pick more secure.
More: Bengals to sign Boye Mafe to $60 million three-year contract
Geno Stone, Cam Taylor-Britt, and Joe Flacco are all free agents this offseason. If one of them were to sign elsewhere, the Bengals would be able to bring in a strong compensatory draft pick from Hendrickson leaving for the Ravens.
While there’s no guarantee that the Bengals will land a compensatory pick for losing Hendrickson, the odds are solid, especially with how much the Ravens are spending on the All-Pro pass rusher.
The Ravens’ backing out of the Crosby trade has brought some good news for the Bengals.
Not only will Crosby no longer be in the division (barring the Bengals, Cleveland Browns, or Pittsburgh Steelers pulling off a stunner), but a likely third-round compensatory pick could be coming back to Cincinnati thanks to this big contract.
