Baltimore Ravens’ 2020s First-Round Linebacker Continues to Baffle Critics and Fans as the Most Confusing Draft Decision Yet
The Baltimore Ravens are known for making savvy draft decisions, especially in the first round. Over the past two decades, they’ve built championship-caliber teams through the draft, identifying and developing elite talent on both sides of the ball. But every front office, no matter how competent, eventually stumbles. For the Ravens, that moment may have arrived in the form of a linebacker selected in the first round during the 2020s—one who has become a confusing figure for fans, analysts, and even coaches alike. While the pick initially sparked excitement, it has since devolved into a case study in inconsistency, poor fit, and unmet expectations.
The player in question is Patrick Queen, drafted with the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU. Queen came to Baltimore with an impressive résumé, having played a crucial role in LSU’s national championship run. His speed, aggression, and leadership made him an enticing option for a defense that had long been known for its intimidating linebacker corps. Queen was supposed to be the next great Ravens linebacker, following in the footsteps of legends like Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley. But four seasons later, Queen’s tenure in Baltimore has left many wondering if the Ravens overreached or misjudged his fit within their scheme.
At the core of the confusion is Queen’s inconsistency. From the start, his performances have been a mixed bag—flashes of brilliance followed by head-scratching errors in both run defense and pass coverage. As a rookie, he posted 106 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble return touchdown. On paper, those numbers looked promising. But a closer look revealed glaring issues with missed tackles, poor angles, and lapses in coverage that often left the defense exposed.
In 2021, things didn’t improve significantly. Queen still showed athleticism and raw talent, but those attributes didn’t consistently translate to success on the field. He struggled particularly in pass coverage, often finding himself a step behind tight ends and running backs. He also continued to miss tackles in critical moments, leading many to question his instincts and technique. For a linebacker drafted in the first round—a spot typically reserved for high-impact players—Queen’s shortcomings began to outweigh his splash plays.
Compounding the issue was the presence of other young linebackers who quickly found success around the league. Comparisons to players like Devin White, Kenneth Murray, and Jordyn Brooks—fellow 2020 draftees—only magnified Queen’s inconsistencies. While some of those players also had their ups and downs, they managed to carve out more defined roles within their defenses. Queen, by contrast, remained an enigma—capable of making a game-changing play one drive, then committing a costly mistake the next.
The Ravens, to their credit, tried to support Queen’s development. In 2022, they traded for Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears—a move that reshaped the linebacker room and took pressure off Queen to be the leader of the unit. With Smith assuming the alpha role, Queen looked more comfortable. He played faster and with more confidence, benefiting from Smith’s guidance and stability. That season, Queen delivered perhaps his most complete year as a Raven, recording 117 tackles, five sacks, and two interceptions.
However, even with improved play, the Ravens faced a dilemma in the offseason. Do they commit to Queen long-term or let him walk in free agency? The team ultimately chose the latter, opting not to pick up his fifth-year option. That decision sent a clear message: while Queen had shown improvement, he hadn’t done enough to justify a significant financial commitment. The Ravens, a team that usually secures its foundational players early, essentially admitted that their 2020 first-round pick had not lived up to expectations.
Queen would go on to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, adding a layer of drama to an already fierce rivalry. His departure not only left a gap in the Ravens’ linebacker corps but also reignited debate over his time in Baltimore. Was he a bust? A late bloomer who never had the right support? Or simply a player who was drafted into the wrong system at the wrong time?
Critics point to Queen’s lack of instinctual play as a primary reason for his struggles. While athleticism is valuable, the modern NFL linebacker must also possess elite football IQ—an ability to diagnose plays quickly and take proper angles. Queen, for much of his time in Baltimore, seemed to rely more on speed than smarts, which worked in college but exposed him at the pro level. Too often, he overran plays or got caught in traffic, unable to disengage from blocks or cover his assignment.
There’s also the matter of positional fit. At LSU, Queen thrived as a weakside linebacker, where he was free to chase down ball carriers and make plays in space. The Ravens, however, initially used him as a middle linebacker in a scheme that demanded gap integrity, physicality, and communication—areas where Queen wasn’t naturally strong. It wasn’t until the arrival of Roquan Smith that Queen was allowed to return to a more natural role, but by then, the damage to his reputation had been done.
From a front office standpoint, Queen’s selection stands out as a rare miscalculation. The Ravens have traditionally excelled in identifying talent that meshes with their coaching philosophy and system. In Queen’s case, they seemed to fall in love with his upside and championship pedigree without fully considering how he’d fit in their scheme. That mistake, while not catastrophic, cost them valuable development time and resources.
Another layer to this discussion is the opportunity cost. At pick 28 in the 2020 draft, the Ravens passed on players who have since become stars. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., for example, went to the Buccaneers at pick 45 and was instrumental in their Super Bowl run. Linebackers like Logan Wilson (third round) have outperformed Queen despite being drafted later. When considering the return on investment, Queen’s pick becomes even harder to justify.
It’s important to note that Queen is not a bad player. He has traits that many teams covet: speed, aggressiveness, and a nose for the ball. In the right situation, with the right coaching, he can still be a productive player. But for a franchise like Baltimore, where expectations are sky-high and the standard is greatness, being “decent” or “improved” isn’t enough. First-round picks are supposed to be cornerstones, not role players who need babysitting.
In hindsight, Queen’s tenure with the Ravens can be viewed as a cautionary tale. It underscores the importance of scheme fit, developmental environment, and mental makeup in evaluating draft prospects. Talent alone isn’t enough—especially in a position as demanding and cerebral as linebacker. Teams must consider how a player’s strengths and weaknesses align with their philosophy, or risk investing in potential that never materializes.
As Queen begins a new chapter with the Steelers, he’ll have a chance to rewrite his narrative. Perhaps a change of scenery and a fresh start will allow him to tap into the player he was projected to become. The Steelers run a different scheme, and their coaching staff may be able to unlock his potential in ways the Ravens couldn’t. If that happens, it may only deepen the sting for Baltimore fans who saw flashes of brilliance but never the full picture.
For now, though, the book on Patrick Queen in Baltimore feels largely closed. He wasn’t a bust in the traditional sense—he started, produced, and never caused issues off the field. But he also never became the player the Ravens thought they were getting in the first round. And in the unforgiving world of NFL evaluation, that might be the most confusing outcome of all.
