RADIO
Patrick Queen 2024 Outlook: Opportunity Meets Potential
6 months agoPatrick Queen entered the NFL with high expectations. He was a first-round pick with tremendous coverage skills and the potential to be the leader in the middle of an always-strong Baltimore defense. Queen never quite returned on those expectations, which is likely why the team invested so much in Roquan Smith halfway through Queen's tenure. However, the LSU product did produce the best season of his career in 2023. He notched a career-high in tackles, produced several big plays, and finished the season as LB17 in Standard IDP Scoring. Things in 2024 are looking even better for the former Tiger, too. In signing with the Steelers, Queen positioned himself to take over a fantasy-friendly role on Pittsburgh's interior. Multiple linebackers produced on Pitt's inside last season, as a series of injuries saw third-stringers collecting double-digit tackle games. Despite his inconsistency, Queen is the most physically gifted interior linebacker the Steelers have had since James Farrior. One should expect career highs from Queen in tackles and sacks on this unit… even if Payton Wilson is a threat to steal Queen's lead role sooner than later.
