NFL Trade Rumors: Could Eagles pry away top linebacker from Ravens?
After signing LB Roquan Smith to a massive five-year, $100M extension, it appears the Ravens are shopping one of their other linebackers.
According to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, Baltimore LB Patrick Queen is “prime trade fodder” ahead of the NFL Draft:
“Lamar Jackson certainly could be dealt — if another team were to actually acknowledge his existence. And I’ve been hearing for weeks that linebacker Patrick Queen, a first-round pick just three years ago, is prime trade fodder as well, with the Ravens recently giving linebacker Roquan Smith a record contract.”
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Queen, 23, joined the Ravens as the No. 28 overall selection in 2020 and made an immediate impact upon arrival. In his rookie season, Queen tallied 106 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles en route to being named to the All-Rookie Team by PWFA.
After a statistical dip in his sophomore season, Queen responded with a stellar 2022 campaign, posting career-highs in tackles (117), passes defended (6), sacks (5.0), and INTs (2).
That kind of production would make most players untouchable, so why would the Ravens be willing to move him? For starters, Roqaun Smith’s deal effectively made him the highest-paid off-ball LB in the NFL. At the same time, the uncertainty surrounding Lamar Jackson’s future leaves Baltimore in a tough spot financially.
With Queen’s fifth-year option looming, GM Eric DeCosta may be looking to get value for him now before he walks for nothing down the road. Additionally, Baltimore only owns five selections in this year’s draft and would like to recoup picks in the second round.
As far as potential trade partners go, none are more aggressive than Philadelphia and GM Howie Roseman. The Eagles lost both of their starting linebackers in free agency, and although second-year LB Nakobe Dean expects to have a more prominent role, Philly could use a true playmaker in the heart of their defense.
The Ravens are in desperate need of cornerback help following the departure of Marcus Peters. Luckily for them, this is a CB-rich class, and promising talent should be available throughout the draft.
The Eagles currently hold picks No. 10 and 30 in the first round and No. 62 in the second; a package for Queen may prove enticing to a team determined to make it back to the Super Bowl.
INTERCEPTION @Patrickqueen_!!! BEST LINEBACKERS IN THE GAME!!#PROBOWLVOTE | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/iDD4CJBgQt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 11, 2022
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
As a Ravens fan Queen waa a bust until Roquan showed up. No team pays 2 inside linebackers big money so he requested a trade. Give us a 2nd rd pick and he’s all yours
I am a ravens as well,Patrick Queen not a middle linebacker,but he a great olb,also Roquan Smith did help Patrick Queen grow as a linebacker,but the fact is ravens have now made Lamar Jackson the nfl highest payed q.b.,so they cannot sign everyone,to a big contact now.So that’s why Queen on the trading block,but he does have alot of talent.I look to see the ravens trade Queen out of the nfl east,to somewhere else in the nfl,probably before the season starts,in 2023.