Ravens' Patrick Queen Pick Completes Team's Defensive Overhaul

The Baltimore Ravens are in a brand new era. The evolution of their offense with Lamar Jackson at the helm in 2019 was transcendent. The defense, while solid, wasn't quite at the same level as their offense, which led the league in total offensive yards, and made this a very different Ravens team.

However, with their pick on the first night of the NFL draft, they may have finally balanced things out and dragged their defense into the new decade. By taking Patrick Queen with pick No. 28, they've added the athletic centerpiece they've desperately needed.

Queen might be the most versatile linebacker in the draft. He's tall and lean, standing at 6-0 and weighing 229 pounds, and with that frame and his 4.50 second 40-yard dash, he's quick enough and athletic enough to excel in coverage. However, despite his size (which is comparable to Ray Lewis's size as a rookie), he's able to blitz with extreme effectiveness. In 2019, Queen had 12 tackles for a loss and three sacks.

His ability to go sideline to sideline helps the Ravens' already-stellar secondary, and his strength when heading downfield is perfect, considering the Ravens blitz more than any team in the NFL. Fans and analysts were shocked when Baltimore got rid of C.J. Mosley before last season, but it's all come full circle, and Queen could very easily become an even better player.

The Ravens are among the favorites in the AFC, and the addition of "Ray Lewis Jr." only makes them more formidable. Queen's going to be an instant starter and an instant difference maker. He has the tools to be effective in any scenario, and his acquisition has made Baltimore a very balanced, very deadly team.