As the hours dwindle and we get closer to the 2020 NFL Draft, many are taking their final shot at predicting the first round. Our friend Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire has released his final take on the first round before the real action gets started. I think Chiefs fans will be pleased to find out that he has Kansas City selecting LSU linebacker Patrick Queen with pick No. 32 in the first round.
Here’s what Easterling had to say about his choice for the Chiefs in his final mock draft projections of 2020:
“There are so many different directions the defending Super Bowl champs could go here. They have tons of talented running backs still on the board, as well as attractive options at both corner and along the defensive front.
That said, the best blend of value and need comes at linebacker, where the Chiefs need someone who can make splash plays on a regular basis. Queen wasn’t a starter at the beginning of 2019, but by the end of the year, he was arguably the most impactful player on a defense loaded with first-round talents.
The Chiefs can’t really go wrong with this pick, so don’t count out a number of other positions. Queen is just too good of a player and too good of a fit to pass on here.“
Queen has become a fan favorite of sorts among Chiefs Kingdom at pick No. 32. Fans are excited about the potential of finding that next great linebacker to take up the mantle of former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson. They want someone who can provide that same explosive presence in the center of the field.
Queen definitely fits the need the Chiefs have for a speedy weakside linebacker. He’s a little small (6-foot and 229 pounds) for what Steve Spagnuolo typically prefers at the position, but talent might outweigh any size concerns here.
It’s undeniable that Queen has the talent and upside to become a three-down linebacker in the NFL. As Easterling says, he’s simply too good of a player and a fit to pass on here. That is, of course, unless there’s an even more valuable player available at pick No. 32.
