Now that the Baltimore Ravens have wrapped up their NFL Draft class, we could see a few more roster changes in the next few weeks. Securing Lamar Jackson was the biggest item on the checklist and we saw the Ravens continue adding weapons around him on draft weekend. But we also saw Ravens GM Eric DeCosta add more pieces to the defense.
This includes at linebacker, where Clemson’s Trenton Simpson became the 86th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With Roquan Smith recently signed to a five-year, $100 million contract, his starting spot seems secure for the foreseeable future.
The other starting middle linebacker spot in Baltimore belongs to Patrick Queen, the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU. Queen turns 24 in August, has started all 50 games he’s appeared in the past three seasons, but is only under contract through the 2023 season.
Baltimore does have the option to pick up Queen’s fifth-year contract option, worth $12.7 million, but being that they haven’t done so yet, combined with Simpson’s selection, a fifth year for Queen may not be in the cards.
According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Queen could be a potential trade candidate. The Ravens could work quickly to try and find a trade partner, or maybe they’d prefer to see how quickly Simpson acclimates himself at the NFL level before making a decision on Queen’s future.
Queen has been impactful during his Baltimore tenure, racking up 321 tackles, ten sacks, four forced fumbles, and three interceptions in three seasons, so he’s likely to generate interest should the Ravens make him available.
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