Daniel Jeremiah is one of the NFL Network’s draft analysts but his qualifications come a little stronger than that. As a former scout for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, Jeremiah has been in the thick of the actual draft world like few other analysts. When Jeremiah makes a mock draft, his thoughts about who the Ravens will pick should garner a certain amount of respect.
With his fourth and final mock ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeremiah has Baltimore picking LSU linebacker Patrick Queen, who he calls a “steal” as a top-15 rated player.
It’s hard to argue with that logic. The Ravens have a desperate need for a starting inside linebacker right now. Though Baltimore has L.J. Fort and recently signed Jake Ryan, neither is an obvious starter and there’s no one remotely proven behind either of them. Queen has been widely considered the second-best linebacker in this draft, capable of coming up in run support or dropping back into coverage. He’d fit in nicely with what the Ravens do and be a Week 1 starter on Baltimore’s defense.
The Ravens have been trying to find a suitable replacement for C.J. Mosley after his departure in free agency last offseason. Mosley ended up being too costly for Baltimore, signing a massive contract with the New York Jets. While the Ravens looked to their own roster for a starter, linebacker Patrick Onwuasor struggled in the role and was eventually replaced by midseason free-agent signing Josh Bynes.
Inside linebacker is really the last major piece of the puzzle for the Ravens on defense. They have Pro Bowl starters at cornerback, safety, outside linebacker and on the defensive line. By adding in a clear cut No. 1 inside linebacker, Baltimore would be fielding one of the most fearsome defenses in the league this upcoming season. When combined with 2019 NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ highest-scoring offense, that could be enough to make a real run at Super Bowl LV.
