(Photo courtesy of CollegePressBox.com)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After a long wait to make a pick on Friday night, the Ravens stayed true to their draft board and created more intrigue regarding the future of fourth-year inside linebacker Patrick Queen.
With the 86th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Baltimore selected Clemson inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, who was widely regarded as a second-round talent capable of developing into an every-down weak-side linebacker in the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound linebacker is the first Clemson player ever to be drafted by the Ravens and registered 72 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles for the Tigers this past season. Simpson was a two-year starter in the ACC and was credited with 187 tackles, 12 1/2 sacks, six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles over 37 career games.
Labeling himself “the most versatile linebacker in this draft” in a video call with local reporters, Simpson expressed strong admiration for Pro Bowl inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who will now be tasked with mentoring the talented rookie. Of course, the Ravens used their 2023 second-round pick to acquire Smith last fall, leaving Simpson as their only selection on the second night of the draft.
“It’s going to be a pleasure playing with him. I know I’m going to be able to take a lot from him and his mindset,” said Simpson about Smith. “He’s a dog. He plays hard, he plays the right way, and it’s the reason why he’s the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL right now. I’m just blessed to be in a room with a guy like that because I know I’m going to pick up [tips] and I’m willing to listen. I’m going to put the work in. Whatever workouts he’s doing, I’m willing to come and join him. I’m ready to work.”
Simpson’s selection becomes even more interesting in the wake of general manager Eric DeCosta declining to answer questions on the status of Queen’s fifth-year option decision. The 2020 first-round pick out of LSU seemingly alluded to the selection on Twitter several minutes after it was announced.
Given the $100 million commitment made to Smith at the position, Queen appears highly unlikely to receive a long-term contract with the Ravens, regardless of whether they exercise his fifth-year option. However, DeCosta had no shortage of praise for Queen when asked about his future while reiterating that Simpson was the best player on their board and the right choice.
“I love Patrick. Patrick is, in my mind, one of the better ‘Will’ linebackers in the league,” DeCosta said. “He’s smart. He works his butt off. He’s got a bright future. I think he’s a Pro Bowl linebacker in the making. In Trenton, we get a guy that was honestly, the very best player available at the time. That’s our philosophy. That’s how we build our team.
“The fact that he’s an outstanding special-teams player factored in because that transcends positional defensive football. That guy’s going to be on the field for us helping us win games, and that’s a huge thing for us. We love his mentality. We love his background, his family. And it was an easy pick for us to make.”
