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The Baltimore Ravens, owners of the best record in football last year, selected former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen 28th overall in Thursday’s night draft.
Queen saw his stock skyrocket as the year progressed. He flashed impressive sideline to sideline speed and an ability to drop into coverage. Tiger fans will always remember intercepting Tua Tagovailoa in LSU’s epic 46-41 win over Bama this past season.
In addition to his interception against Alabama, Queen had 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of pass break ups. He was the defensive MVP in the national championship game with 8 tackles, 2.5 for loss and was credited with half a sack. With Queen’s selection and Devin White being picked fifth in last year’s draft, LSU has seen its middle linebacker go in the first round in consecutive years.
Queen had been linked to Baltimore for some time. Baltimore certainly seemed to covet Queen, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said of Queen “you see a guy like that and it was kind of a no-brainer.” Baltimore has only drafted two middle linebackers in its history: Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and former Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley who made four Pro Bowls.
With the Ravens taking Queen, that makes four LSU Tigers picked in the first round. The Cincinnati Bengals took Joe Burrow first overall, the Jacksonville Jaguars took K’Lavon Chaisson 20th overall and the Minnesota Vikings selected Justin Jefferson 22nd.