This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers made several big signings this offseason including quarterback Russell Wilson. But on defense, the big move was to sign former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to a hue free-agent contract.
Pittsburgh needed help at inside linebacker after not re-signing Kwon Alexander and the ongoing injury concerns with Cole Holcomb. Queen should give the Steelers the best playmaker in the middle they have had since Ryan Shazier.
ESPN polled NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank the 10 off-ball linebackers in the NFL and Queen made the cut. He checked in at No.4 trailing only Fred Warner, Roquan Smith and Matt Milano.
Here’s what ESPN had to say about Queen:
Pittsburgh’s linebacker tradition is rich, but the team rarely spends top dollar in free agency.
By giving Queen a three-year, $41 million deal in March, Pittsburgh effectively plucked a star out of rival Baltimore while reimagining the middle of its defense.
Queen did a little bit of everything for Baltimore, racking up 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6 pass deflections.
“Closing speed and blitzing ability,” an AFC executive said. “He’ll make a big impact on Pittsburgh’s defense.”
A few veteran NFL coaches said that while Queen is a physical run player and solid in man coverage, he misses plays he should make in “match” zone coverage.
“Lack of instincts might show now that he’s not playing next to Superman [Roquan Smith],” an NFC exec said.
Any concerns with Queen missing Smith should be put aside with the smart, veteran players he is surrounded with in Pittsburgh. Linebacker Elandon Roberts and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are excellent leaders in the back seven and will help maximize Queen’s potential.
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