Grading Ravens, Eric DeCosta’s strong 2020 NFL Draft haul
By Felix Davila
The Baltimore Ravens had a Super Bowl roster. Now they hope their 2020 NFL Draft haul pushes them over the top next season.
After boasting the first seed in the postseason and quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league MVP, it was incredibly disappointing to not have the Baltimore Ravens hoist the Lombardy Trophy in February. Head coach John Harbaugh led a potent offensive attack complementing a strong defense that ultimately failed to become champions. The title ended up in the hands of a fellow AFC team in the Kansas City Chiefs. This 2020 NFL Draft haul is sure to help.
Now, with a turn of the page on the 2019 season and the Covid-19 pandemic changing the way society runs itself, it’s truly a brand new year for the Ravens. The biggest news heading into the 2020 NFL Draft was Lamar Jackson announcing he’ll be on the cover of Madden 21.
“A dream come true” indeed. Now, the NFL Draft is over. With the biggest event of spring in the books, the Ravens head into the 2020 regular season boasting new, young additions to their roster. And it’s much needed. With a new year on the horizon, Baltimore hopes these new faces can reinvigorate this roster.
Let’s get to grading their haul.
Baltimore Ravens Round 1, pick 28: Patrick Queen | Linebacker | LSU
Heading into the evening of April 23rd, the Ravens knew they’d have to wait a bit before making their first selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. After losing stalwart inside linebacker C.J. Mosley last season, the Ravens lacked a true answer to the interior of their defense. They needed a new quarterback for that side of the ball. Kenneth Murray, considered one of the best inside linebackers in the class, was gone by the 23rd pick to a Los Angeles Chargers team that traded up for him. That left the Ravens with one answer: drafting Patrick Queen. The team was hype about it too.
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Queen is a close second in those rankings and it’s warranted. He’s a very rangy linebacker with true sideline-to-sideline speed. He packs a wallop on his hits and attacks opposing offenses with a relentless motor. On film, Queen demonstrated these traits consistently, even against the toughest SEC opponents. He’s definitely a prospect that could elevate his play once he enters the pro level.
Considering their drastic need at the position and their late pick in the first, it isn’t fair to criticize too harshly their decision to tab Queen. He isn’t much of a reach at this point and the team gets a near-perfect fit into their defense that can step in right away. Queen found himself in a great situation. The Ravens could’ve addressed a host of needs, so this isn’t perfect. But Patrick Queen is great.