LA Rams 2020 NFL Draft harvests talented treasure trove – Mock Draft 6.0

Round 2 Pick 52

The LA Rams needed a new linebacker from the moment Cory Littleton signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders.  At pick 52, they find their next starter in linebacker Patrick Queen from LSU. In fact, despite using an online draft simulator, even I was surprised that he fell to the Rams at 52, so I ran it again and there he was once more.

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Just 6-foot-0 and 229 pounds, he does not bury the needle in terms of ideal size and weight for an NFL linebacker. But that’s about his only shortcoming. He is a true defensive play-caller, as close to an NFL starter as they come out of college. I watched some videos of the player and the only part I question is his ability to take on NFL blockers head-on play after play. He is shrewd and does demonstrate the ability to get to his spot before the blockers can engage. And his speed allows for closing on the quarterback for the sack quickly, as he does here with a spin move against Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Even if a blocker engages, he seems to have enough agility and power combined to make that tackle. He doesn’t miss much in run defense. But even more impressive is his ability to cover tight ends and running backs on passing downs. He only played three years of college ball, and only started as a junior.  He put up solid numbers in 2019 for 15 games, with 85 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and two passes defended.

His 40-yard dash time was a very impressive 4.5 seconds and will place him dead center among a number of NFL teams seeking speed on defense. He also boasts a nice wingspan with 31 5/8″ arms and uses them with proficiency in defending passes and wrapping up ball carriers for tackles. If he falls to the Rams at 52, pop your champagne corks. And I say that with a true appreciation of the risks of any rookie. He has NFL starter written all over him, but particularly in a defense where he plays behind DT Aaron Donald.

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