ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper is widely considered one of the best in the business. So when he does a mock draft, people tune in to what he says. In his latest mock draft, and the first two-rounder he’s done this offseason, Kiper stuck with a familiar face for the Baltimore Ravens.
For the fourth time in four mock drafts, Kiper has the Ravens picking LSU linebacker Patrick Queen at No. 28.
The Ravens lost a few defensive linemen this offseason, but they upgraded by trading for Calais Campbell and signing Derek Wolfe. What they haven’t replaced, however, is inside linebacker C.J. Mosley, who left the team in free agency last year and whose absence was felt throughout the 2019 season. Queen, a run-and-hit linebacker with stellar instincts, could fill that void. With Marshal Yanda retiring, guard is another option here.
With Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz going off the board a pick earlier to the Seattle Seahawks and the top pass rushers already gone, Queen makes a lot of sense for Baltimore here. As many other mock drafts having Queen fall to the Ravens have pointed out too, Kiper noted the loss of linebacker C.J. Mosley from last offseason still hasn’t been adequately replaced.
However, Baltimore doesn’t necessarily need to go linebacker early on. Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz has pointed out that there are going to be linebackers available later who do individual things really well. If Baltimore wants to build up their depth chart at the position and not drop an early pick, they should be able to find one or two linebackers on the second or third day of the 2020 NFL Draft that can fill individual roles.
Even still, Queen is a solid pick that would immediately fill the void in the middle of Baltimore’s defense. With their other offseason additions added in, the Ravens should have one of the best defenses in the league with Queen a centerpiece for at least the next few years.
Let’s see who Kiper has Baltimore grabbing in the second round with their two picks. Click to the next page to find out.