2020 NFL Draft: Round 1
Yes, cornerback is a bigger need for the Chiefs, but the depth at corner is much deeper than the depth at linebacker is in the 2020 draft class. Kansas City is more likely to get a starting corner with their second-round pick than they are a starting linebacker, and you’re definitely not getting one with Patrick Queen’s ability.
After the national championship game, (Clemson v. LSU) Queen became the talk of the town for many among the draft community. He didn’t have a ton of momentum going into that game, but after it seems as though everyone was on the Queen train. Early in the year, his teammate/position-mate, Jacob Phillips, was the one who was getting first-round hype, however after his performance in the national championship, which forced many evaluators back to their computers to turn on Queen’s tape, he is now the one receiving first-round hype, and it’s well deserved.
Patrick Queen is still has a ton of room to grow and isn’t quite the perfect prospect yet, but he has a ton of upside, especially in coverage. He has great awareness in zone, and does a great job following the quarterback’s eyes and getting into throwing lanes (as seen in the Alabama game when he leaped in front of a pass thrown by Tua Tagovailoa). Queen isn’t just a cover linebacker though, he is willing to stick his nose in-between the tackles and has the ability to work from sideline-to-sideline.