Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Ravens Make Move After Trey Hendrickson News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 6:48 PM ET

The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2025 season with high expectations, but their campaign fell far short of what the franchise and its fans had hoped for. Baltimore finished 8-9, second in the AFC North, and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Ravens were expected to be contenders, but instead endured a turbulent season.

One of the biggest struggles for the Ravens in 2025 was their defense. After years of being one of the league’s elite units, Baltimore’s defense ranked 24th in total defense and 30th in passing defense, a dramatic drop that exposed weaknesses in the front seven and secondary and contributed heavily to the team’s disappointing finish. Opposing offenses carved up the Ravens through the air, and Baltimore was unable to generate consistent pressure on quarterbacks.

In response, the Ravens aggressively pursued reinforcements this offseason to re‑establish their defensive identity. Baltimore first made headlines with a proposed trade for elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Raiders. However, after agreeing to send two first‑round draft picks for Crosby, the deal was rescinded when Crosby failed his physical.

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trey Hendrickson.Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Rather than stall after the Crosby setback, Baltimore moved quickly to land one of the hottest free agents on the defensive market: veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who officially signed with the Ravens shortly after the Crosby deal collapsed.

Now it appears the Ravens are preparing another significant defensive addition. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, veteran defensive tackle D.J. Reader, one of the top available interior defenders still on the free agent market, visited the Ravens on Thursday

Reader, a 31‑year‑old interior force, played all 17 games for the Detroit Lions in the 2025 season, logging 28 total tackles (11 solo) and serving as a consistent presence in the middle of one of the NFL’s stronger defensive fronts. His 578 defensive snaps in 2025 were the most he’s played since 2019.

Veteran DT DJ Reader, who has played the last two seasons with the #Lions, visited the #Ravens today. He’s one of the top defenders available. pic.twitter.com/0ZY1660b1x
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2026

Reader, originally a fifth‑round pick in 2016 by the Houston Texans, has started 128 games and accumulated 168 solo tackles, 150 assists, 12.5 sacks and three fumbles.

Baltimore would benefit significantly if they are able to land Reader to play alongside Hendrickson, who he shared the locker room with for three seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals. Pairing a proven edge rusher with a disruptive interior tackle would help the Ravens generate the push they lacked in 2025, and improve both their pass rush and run defense.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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