It’s Okay To Be Excited About K.J. Henry
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
In the sweltering heat of late August, while most of Cincinnati was busy changing their shirts for the third time that day, the Bengals’ front office pulled off a move that might end up being slick enough to make a riverboat gambler blush. They claimed K.J. Henry off waivers from the Washington Commanders, and in doing so, they may have just added a low-risk player with upside to their 2024 season.
I know what you’re thinking: “K.J. who?” Exactly. That’s the beauty of this move. While everyone’s been frothing at the mouth over Ja’Marr Chase‘s contract situation and whether Joe Burrow‘s calf is made of actual muscle or spun sugar, the Bengals quietly bought low on a player they’re hoping has the boom potential of a tech startup in 2010.
Henry, a 2023 fifth-round pick out of Clemson, showed flashes of brilliance in his limited action last year. In just 10 games, he racked up 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss. Those aren’t world-beating numbers, sure, but for a rookie getting his feet wet in the NFL? Not bad at all.
You’ll find Bengals new EDGE KJ Henry in the bottom right here.
83rd percentile athlete.
Logged 200+ snaps as a rookie for Washington and was very good as a pass rusher in the preseason this year (~20% PR win rate).
About as good as you get off the waiver wire. https://t.co/pyEsUxinQy
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) August 28, 2024
His 2024 preseason was more of the same.
New Bengal KJ Henry in the 2024 preseason:
82.9 PFF Grade
48 pass rush snaps
10 pressures
20.8% win rateSure it's preseason production, but you don't find that on the waiver wire often.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) August 28, 2024
So, if Henry has all this potential, why would Washington ever release him? Isn’t cutting a player with his upside after one season insane? What’s the catch?
This, Cincinnati surely hopes, is simply a new staff with a new plan and scheme valuing different things than what Henry offers. “I think honestly when you’re going into new programs, you’re really looking at some things that will change and scheme fits and what you’re looking for,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday when asked about the decision to waive Henry. “Sometimes when you’re going into something new, you’re looking for different scheme, different fits.”
The Clemson Connection
To truly understand my dramatic reaction to the move and my belief that Henry could be such a real contributor, we need to take a trip down to “Death Valley.” At Clemson, Henry was part of a defensive line rotation so deep it made the Mariana Trench look like a kiddie pool. Playing alongside future NFL stars like Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, Henry’s raw numbers didn’t jump off the page, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a pass-rushing savant just waiting to be unleashed.
In his final season at Clemson, Henry posted a pass-rush win rate of 22.3%, which would have ranked him among the top-10 edge rushers in the NFL last year.
But here’s the kicker — Clemson’s rotation-heavy approach meant Henry never got to truly showcase his stamina and game-long impact. In Cincinnati, with a defensive line that’s solid but not exactly stacked, Henry could come in, perform, and see his snap count skyrocket.
The Mad Scientist and His New Toy
Now, let’s talk about the man who could mold this piece of clay: defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Known as “The Mad Scientist” for his creative blitz packages and shape-shifting defensive fronts, Anarumo must feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Anarumo’s scheme thrives on versatility, and Henry is about as versatile as they come. At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he’s got the size to bull-rush guards, the speed to chase down running backs, and the agility to drop into coverage when needed. Imagine this: Henry lined up as a stand-up rusher, then dropping back to cover the flat, leaving a blitzing Logan Wilson to steamroll through the gap.
But it’s not just about schematic fit. Anarumo has a track record of developing defensive talent that would make a college recruiter weep with envy. He turned Trey Hendrickson from a rotational piece in New Orleans to a Pro Bowl edge rusher. He helped Sam Hubbard evolve from a solid run defender to a well-rounded force.
But it’s not just the stars Anarumo has found success with. Look at how Lou transformed B.J. Hill from an afterthought with the Giants to a steady everyday starter. Marion Hobby and Lou know exactly how to get the most out of their players and Henry will be no different.
The Bold Prediction
Alright, it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. Here’s my bold prediction for 2024: By midseason, Henry won’t just be a situational pass-rusher — he’ll be Anarumo’s secret weapon, lining up all over the field and confounding opposing offenses. Yeah, I said it. Keep the receipts, put my words on a billboard, get them tattooed on you like you’re the guy from “Momento,” whatever you’d like. When you’re watching the Bengals this season and see number 90 blow past a tackle like they’re standing still, think back to this piece and the crazy writer who penned it. You will be able to find me, sitting at the ready to say “I told you so.”
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