For every significant free agent departure in March, a new need is created to address at the draft in April. Jonathan Queen has left the Baltimore Ravens for the divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving a new void at inside linebacker.
Queen will be tough to replace, as he was the only player in the NFL with 15+ QB pressures (18) and five pass breakups last season. He’s never missed a game during his four years in the league, and this past season, he set a new career high in tackles with 133.
This isn’t the most robust class for ILBs, and Baltimore likely won’t find the heir apparent to Queen in the draft, but they could rebuild depth at the ILB position during the middle rounds of the draft. With that in mind, the Ravens should consider Marist Liufau of Notre Dame.
As it is currently the season of Lent, it’s worth noting just how fitting it is that a guy named Marist played his college ball at the nation’s most well-known Catholic program.
And Notre Dame has an established pipeline to Baltimore. It may not be as extensive as ND’s pipeline to the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, but it’s substantial.
Three former Fighting Irish are on the roster: S Kyle Hamilton, C Sam Mustipher, and LT Ronnie Stanley. Hamilton could be on his way to becoming the best overall safety in football.
Stanley was once potentially in that conversation before a rash of injuries caused his quality to drop considerably. Mustipher is a player who has shuttled between the active roster and the practice squad.
With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, many people will soon be getting a little more Irish, and perhaps the Ravens could as well by taking Liufau in a middle round next month. Walter Football ranks him the #2 overall prospect at his position, but he still often grades out as a late day two, early day-three prospect.
Inside linebackers are typically not valued as highly as their outside counterparts, mainly because today’s NFL pays a premium for pass rushers, and most OLBs (or at least the good ones) possess that skill set.