2020 NFL Mock Draft: New Orleans Saints select LSU linebacker

Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

With the 24th pick in the NFL draft, the Saints select Patrick Queen. Linebacker. LSU.

Let me preface all of this with; the Saints are in a great position prior to the draft. They can truly take the BPA and not miss a beat because there are no glaring holes on this roster but there is one particular group who could be majorly improved, the linebacker core. I had some considerations going into the selection like a future QB or DE but as soon as the first few picks came off the board I was down to two guys, both linebackers. Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray. I was so back and forth on Queen and Murray while the picks were unfolding and I settled on Queen after comparing tape right after pick six or seven. I just needed to wait it out and hope he would be there. Then Murray went one spot ahead and I ended up with the hometown hero and BPA anyway.

The Player

I’ll post some GIF’s below to show what I am about to talk about. Queen measures in at 6’0”, 229 lbs. Maybe undersized but he should slot in fine on the weak side. He ran a 4.5 forty showcasing true sideline to sideline speed. He’s extremely instinctive and has excellent body control and balance. He has no issue taking on bigger blockers while still affecting the ball carrier. Where he will excel in the league is in coverage. He has all the tools to lock down TE’s and keep RB’s in check in the passing game. (which could be useful against McCaffery and Gurley 4 times a year.)

Instincts and closing speed:

Reading and getting off the block:

Screen buster:

Zone coverage:

Obligatory Spider Chart:

The Need

While I lead with the statement that The Saints are in a great spot, that’s not to say they can’t improve. They do have All Pro Demario Davis returning but he is 30 and the depth behind him is questionable at best. A.J. Klein signed with the Bills. Kiko Alonso tore his ACL in the playoff loss to Minnesota. Manti Te’o is a free agent. The next best guy is Alex Anzalone but he missed 14 games last season while missing 12 in 2017. Queen would be a huge upgrade to this unit.

The Verdict

Despite his weaknesses, you’d be hard pressed to find a prospect like Queen that has that combo of explosiveness, range, and coverage skills. Those talents will translate to the NFL. Will it be year one? I think so. His floor (like rock bottom) is a top tier special teamer. His ceiling is a linchpin defensive player and leader for a Super Bowl team. He reminds me of Deion Jones and Telvin Smith. He has his flaws but they are outweighed by the intagibles and upside. He is the prototypical new age linebacker and the Saints are lucky to grab him here. The Vikings are back on the clock.

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242): OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M): OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan): WR Jerry Jeudy
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible): OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders (Phillysolo): WR Henry Ruggs III
13) 49ers (eagles0132): OT Andrew Thomas
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles): DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos (J. Wil): S Xavier McKinney
16) Falcons (Kephas): EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang): S Grant Delpit
18) Dolphins (dshelton5): QB Justin Herbert
19) Raiders (fredhugo): CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22): EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards): CB C.J. Henderson
22) Vikings (SadJediShark): CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus): LB Kenneth Murray
24) Saints (big DUB): LB Patrick Queen
25) Vikings (MrW254):
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly):
27) Seahawks (mattywils):
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47):
29) Titans (mr_england):
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Saints should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals: OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars: OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns: OT Andrew Thomas
11) Jets: OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb
13) 49ers: WR Jerry Jeudy
14) Buccaneers: DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos: WR Henry Ruggs III
16) Falcons: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys: CB C.J. Henderson
18) Dolphins: OT Josh Jones
19) Raiders: CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles: WR Justin Jefferson
22) Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots: QB Jordan Love
24) Saints: