**“From Raven to Relentless: Patrick Queen Lands at No. 75 on NFL Top 100—But Did the Steelers Star Deserve a Higher Spot?”**

Patrick Queen has always played with a chip on his shoulder, and 2024 was no different. After making the bold decision to leave the Baltimore Ravens and join their bitter AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the talented linebacker didn’t just adapt to his new surroundings—he thrived. Now entering 2025 with a full season as a Steeler under his belt, Queen has again earned recognition across the league, landing at No. 75 on the NFL Top 100 list. While that may sound like a respectable place among the league’s elite, there’s a growing sentiment among players, coaches, analysts, and fans that Queen’s ranking should be higher. Much higher.

This isn’t just about stats, although Queen’s numbers were undeniably dominant. He led the Steelers in total tackles with 129, recorded six tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and deflected seven passes. But beyond the stat sheet, it was Queen’s presence, leadership, and unmatched durability that left an indelible mark on Pittsburgh’s revamped defense. He became the only defender in the entire NFL to log at least 125 tackles, six TFLs, and seven PDs in the 2024 season—a testament to his rare versatility and impact at all three levels of the defense.

What makes Queen’s continued rise so impressive is the consistency he has shown since entering the league. Drafted by Baltimore in the first round in 2020, Queen has started every single game in his career—a streak that now spans 84 games. In that time, he’s amassed 582 total tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 15 pass deflections, 13.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. This is not a flash-in-the-pan player. Queen has been dependable, disruptive, and dynamic since day one. His transition from Baltimore standout to Pittsburgh enforcer has only elevated his reputation as one of the NFL’s most well-rounded linebackers.

The fact that Queen fell from No. 64 in last year’s NFL Top 100 to No. 75 this year may seem minor on paper, but in reality, it’s puzzling. Especially considering the elevated responsibilities he shouldered in his first year with a new team and a new scheme. Not only did he meet expectations—he exceeded them. He stepped into a defense loaded with personalities and playmakers and immediately carved out his own identity. On a unit that already featured T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward, Queen became a glue guy—bridging the front seven and the secondary, calling out audibles, and chasing down plays sideline to sideline with his trademark burst and tenacity.

It’s also worth noting how Queen’s impact transcended individual play. The Steelers’ defense ranked top 10 in scoring defense for the fifth time in six years, and Queen’s arrival allowed the coaching staff to be more flexible and aggressive. His ability to cover tight ends and backs in man coverage, while also being a threat on the blitz and a punishing tackler in the run game, gave Pittsburgh a Swiss Army knife it hadn’t had in years. It’s not often a player can be both the stabilizer and the sparkplug for a defense—but Queen managed to do just that.

His performance didn’t go unnoticed by his peers, who voted him into the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. That nod was as much about reputation and respect as it was about raw production. The league has come to appreciate Queen’s unique skillset and work ethic, but clearly, there’s still room for his star to shine even brighter. Being ranked 75th means there were 74 other players who, in the eyes of voters, had more impactful seasons. That’s a hard sell when Queen’s production and consistency stack up favorably with nearly every off-ball linebacker in the NFL.

Just look around the league. Many of the linebackers who ranked above Queen on the Top 100 list didn’t match his combination of tackles, pass deflections, and impact plays. Some were better pure pass rushers. Others might’ve had a few more splashy turnovers. But few—if any—were asked to do as much as Queen on a snap-to-snap basis. He was a three-down linebacker in every sense of the word, rarely coming off the field and often tasked with shadowing the opposing team’s most dangerous playmakers. That’s the type of workload usually reserved for the game’s elite defenders—and Queen embraced it without hesitation.

So why the drop? The NFL Top 100 list is voted on by players, which means it’s often more about perception and popularity than pure performance. Sometimes, being on a winning team helps. Sometimes, flashy plays or viral highlights carry more weight than a full season of dependable excellence. And sometimes, playing in a new system on a team that didn’t make a deep playoff run can keep a player like Queen from getting the national recognition he truly deserves. But inside locker rooms, on game film, and among defensive coordinators, there’s no doubt about Queen’s place in the hierarchy of elite defenders.

Steelers fans certainly recognize what they have. When Queen signed with Pittsburgh, there was skepticism from some corners—mostly from fans who couldn’t stomach the idea of welcoming a former Raven into the fold. But any lingering doubt was erased by midseason, when Queen had already established himself as a tone-setter. He played with a blend of urgency and intelligence that Steelers linebackers of old were known for—reminiscent of James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and even a young Ryan Shazier. He wasn’t just wearing the black and gold—he was living it.

His leadership was equally important. Despite being new to the team, Queen was a vocal presence in meetings and on the field. He didn’t shy away from holding teammates accountable or stepping up in big moments. He took pride in being a student of the game, constantly studying film and tendencies, and his preparation showed up every Sunday. That level of professionalism is often overlooked in these rankings, but it’s a huge reason why Queen was such a transformative addition to the Steelers defense.

The 2024 season was more than just a breakout campaign—it was a blueprint. Queen showed that he’s capable of anchoring a defense, elevating those around him, and making plays in the biggest moments. As the Steelers aim to make a deeper playoff push in 2025, Queen will once again be central to their plans. And with another year in the system and even more familiarity with his teammates, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his numbers rise even further.

What’s clear is that Queen isn’t driven by rankings. He’s not chasing headlines or awards—he’s chasing greatness. But that doesn’t mean the rankings don’t matter. They’re a reflection of how the league views its own, and when a player like Queen lands at No. 75 after a Pro Bowl season that redefined his role and elevated a franchise, it raises valid questions. Not because Queen needs validation, but because he’s earned more respect than the number suggests.

Ultimately, the list is just a snapshot. A moment in time. But for a player like Patrick Queen, whose entire career has been built on steady progression, relentless effort, and quiet dominance, being underrated is nothing new. He’s made a habit of proving people wrong, and 2025 could be the year he turns that chip on his shoulder into a crown. The league has taken notice—now it’s just a matter of time before the rest of the world catches up.