Draft Wire’s first mock draft following the Super Bowl has the Green Bay Packers acquiring a regal prospect to fix a royal problem at inside linebacker.
Luke Easterling of Draft Wire sent LSU linebacker Patrick Queen to the Packers at No. 30 overall in the first round.
Queen and Kenneth Murray, another early favorite for the Packers in the first round of national mock drafts, are among the best of the best at inside linebacker in the 2020 draft.
From Easterling: “This defense was much improved in 2019, but there’s still a huge need for a three-down difference-maker at the second level. Queen is athletic and physical, with all the physical and mental tools to make an immediate impact in Green Bay. After a stellar performance in the College Football Playoff, Queen was a surprise addition to this year’s list of underclassmen, and would be a strong pick here.”
The Packers are looking at a potential rebuild at inside linebacker, a problem area for years. Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson both have expiring contracts, and Oren Burks hasn’t shown enough over two injury-plagued seasons to start his NFL career.
An athletic playmaker at linebacker looks like one of GM Brian Gutekunst’s biggest needs this offseason.
According to Pro Football Focus, Queen delivered nine “stops” during the College Football Playoff and was one of the best inside linebackers in coverage throughout the 2019 season.
As a junior, Queen produced 85 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, three sacks, one interception and two pass breakups over 15 games for the national champions. He took over at linebacker for 2019 first-round pick Devin White.
Another asset for Queen: speed. Gutekunst said speed is a requirement for playing the position in today’s NFL, and Queen has plenty of it.
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