'Overlooked' Trey Hendrickson gets notice for Saints against Chargers

One benefit to keeping Cameron Jordan on the sideline with a clipboard through two preseason games has been the chance for Trey Hendrickson to spend more time on the field.

A healthy scratch in all but five games last season, the third-year defensive end appears primed to have an impact for the New Orleans Saints this season.

Although he didn't reach the quarterback for a sack Sunday in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he created enough havoc so that he caused blockers against him to get caught holding on multiple occasions.

Through two preseason games, he's been on the receiving end of at least three such calls.

That's the third holding call in two games that Trey Hendrickson has forced by opponents.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 18, 2019

For Hendrickson, the increased attention comes with the work he put in with defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to improve the technical aspects of the game.

"Where to place your hands and eyes," Hendrickson said after the Saints' 19-17 victory.

Proper placement of hands and eyes, he said, helps him react quicker against blockers.

He also might be more physically fit than in his first two seasons. At 270 pounds, the 6-foot-4 Hendrickson said he's heavier and stronger than he's ever been.

“Last year, I thought his weight got a little light,” coach Sean Payton said. “This year he’s playing a little stronger, a little heavier."

Hendrickson arrived as a third-round pick in the Saints' vaunted 2017 NFL Draft class -- the one that included Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk in the first round, Marcus Williams in the second round and Alvin Kamara and Alex Anzalone in the third.

All five players the Saints selected ahead of Hendrickson have become full-time starters, with the dynamic Kamara selected to the Pro Bowl in both of his two seasons. For Hendrickson, the wait to crack the first-team unit could take more time.

Last season, Hendrickson played behind veteran Alex Okafor, who the Saints let leave as a free agent to the Kansas City Chiefs. Also ahead of Hendrickson was Marcus Davenport, for whom the Saints traded up in the first round to select in the 2018 NFL Draft.

"Trey's been overlooked these past few years," linebacker A.J. Klein said in a live video feed streamed to the Saints team website. "He's finally starting to find his niche in this defense. He had a great week of practice all week. He was very disruptive, both days. He's definitely coming on strong as a situational pass rusher for us, as well as a guy that can play (special) teams.

"I know he wished he would have had that sack that he got close on (against the Chargers), but all that matters is that he's getting in the quarterback's face."

For his part, Hendrickson said he would like to get the final push needed to complete the quarterback take down.

"I need to finish plays that are left out there," he said. "That's what I plan to do moving forward."

In the first preseason game, Hendrickson played 20 snaps on defense and three on special teams. Against the Chargers, he played at least through the Chargers' first five offensive possessions.

Although Payton said he was eager to see how Hendrickson graded out for the game, the veteran Klein noted how far the Florida Atlantic product has come.

"He has a great understanding for the defense," Klein said. "He really understands fronts, alignments. He's definitely becoming a student of the game. He's definitely working on technique. That goes to coach Ryan on the defensive line and obviously working with those guys."