Mock Draft and React: With the 21st pick in the NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select LB Patrick Queen
3 April 2020 DRAFT
The NFL Draft is getting closer and closer and with free agency behind us for the most part, it’s a little easier to key in on the players the Philadelphia Eagles will take in the first round.
This time around, it’s ESPN’s draft expert Todd McShay laying down his case for the Eagles’ selection at pick 21. He has the Eagles taking LSU linebacker Patrick Queen.
- “The void at wide receiver hasn’t gone away, and the Eagles will have to think long and hard about whether they are ready to enter the 2020 season with the oft-injured Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, along with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside off a disappointing rookie campaign, as their wideouts again. Justin Jefferson out of LSU is for sure in play at No. 21. But Philadelphia also could really use a spark in the middle of the defense. Queen is a rangy, off-ball linebacker with burst and great tackling ability.”
As he said, looking at the Eagles current roster, they have an obvious need at wide receiver and linebacker as well. Taking Queen makes sense because like we all know, the wide receiver class is historically deep. The Eagles are going to have a lot of options to add talent in the second and third rounds. Linebacker is a glaring need for the Eagles as well and it’s not as deep of a draft class. Queen is the most polished of them all. Acquiring him gives the Eagles a huge boost at linebacker going into next season.
Queen is always around the ball, he’s a menace on the field. This past season, he totaled 85 tackles, 12 of those were for a loss. He always added three sacks to his name. He’s fast, he’s physical and he’s definitely going to be a beast in the NFL.
Looking at this pick and how he’d fit in with the Eagles, he’s exactly what they need. Nigel Bradham was a big presence on the field and Queen is a much faster version of him. Adding him next to Nate Gerry and TJ Edwards gives the Eagles a very young and fast linebacking corps.
When you look back at the Eagles history when it comes to drafting, drafting a linebacker in the first one isn’t a thing the Eagles do. They took Jerry Robinson in 1971, that was the last linebacker taken in the first round.
But, if you look at their current roster, although they need a wide receiver and linebacker, you can argue they’re in a position to take the best player on the board. Queen just could be that guy at 21. Their roster is overall pretty solid, there’s a ton of different ways they can go about it. A lot of times, teams don’t like to forceable fill a need, they go by their board.
In my opinion, the if the Eagles go ahead and select Patrick Queen with their first round pick, I’m all for it. There’s not a better linebacker in this years draft class and I do believe the Eagles go afford to use their day two picks on a wide receiver, maybe even two. To me, it’s more important to fill the linebacker need with a stud linebacker right away than the wide receiver position. I’m for it.
I cannot remember the last time the Eagles had a linebacker who flew around the field and inflicted pain upon their opponent. Jordan Hicks was close to it but never was able to stay healthy. Jeremiah Trotter was the last one, it’s time that changes.
Photo Credit: La. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD