Ravens' Patrick Queen can do what Ray Lewis couldn't: Win Rookie of the Year
The Ravens haven't had a Defensive Rookie of the Year since 2003. Patrick Queen is among the betting favorites for 2020.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson already has put quite the pressure on rookie linebacker Patrick Queen, the No. 28 overall pick out of LSU. Right after Baltimore picked Queen, Jackson shouted "Ray Lewis Jr.!" on Instagram Live. Queen is a +1100 third-favorite on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"When you think about Ray Lewis, you think about an elite linebacker – speed, physicality, aggression, dominance," Queen said after hearing Jackson's comments. "I feel like I'm more mobile than he was." Clearly, Queen doesn't lack confidence.
Believe it or not, Lewis, one of the greatest middle linebackers in history and a Hall of Famer, didn't win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Because of size concerns out of Miami (Fla.), Lewis slipped to the No. 26 overall pick in the 1996 draft. Arizona Cardinals defensive end was the DROY that season.
Another former Miami Hurricanes/NFL legend who slipped to Baltimore in a draft was safety Ed Reed in 2002. He didn't win DROY, either. Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers did that year. Baltimore's two winners of this award were linebackers: Peter Boulware in 1987 and Terrell Suggs in 2003.
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The 20-year-old Queen is only the third inside linebacker ever selected in the first round by the Ravens, joining Lewis and CJ Mosley in 2014. Mosley was second in the DROY voting that year behind Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Queen (6-foot, 229 pounds) only started for one year at LSU – 2019 No. 5 overall pick Devin White had been ahead of him -- but was the second-leading tackler for the national champion Tigers and the Defensive MVP of the national championship win over Clemson with eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and half a sack. Queen figures to start from Day 1 at right inside linebacker in Baltimore's 3-4 defense.
The Ravens' biggest need in the draft was arguably at inside linebacker after losing Mosley to free agency following the 2018 season (to the Jets) and Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor this past March. Queen will No. 48 in the NFL after wearing No. 8 at LSU. Jackson wears that number with the Ravens, and NFL linebackers aren't allowed to wear single digits.
Queen's NFL debut will be Sept. 13 at home with the Ravens as 8.5-point favorites on the NFL odds vs. the Cleveland Browns.
| Defensive Rookie of Year favorites |
| Chase Young +350 |
| Isaiah Simmons +800 |
| Patrick Queen +1000 |
| AJ Epenesa +1400 |
| Kenneth Murray +2000 |
| Jeff Okudah +2000 |