Ravens rookie ILB Patrick Queen knows where he needs to improve in coverage

The Baltimore Ravens first-round rookie inside linebacker Patrick Queen has joined the likes of the great Ray Lewis and four-time Pro Bowler CJ Mosley as the only players to become immediate starters in the middle of the defense.

For the most part and in many ways, the former LSU standout has been as good as advertised coming out of college. He has displayed his amazing athleticism and incredible speed as well as lateral quickness in every game this season.

Queen has been an absolute tackling machine and a menace for opposing offenses at and behind the line of scrimmage. His 33 total tackles lead the team and are tied for second-most among all rookies. He has also recorded four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, a sack, and a forced fumble.

While he has been amazing fly around from sideline to sideline making plays in the run game, and area of his game where he needs to improve is in coverage. It was a skill that he was proficient in last season for the national championship-winning Tigers, but the game is not only much faster but more complex at the pro level and especially in the passing game.

Queen had the worst game of his young career in Week Three against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Ravens 34-20 loss on Monday Night. Reigning Superbowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and offense of the defending champions took advantage of his aggressiveness and exploited him a bit in zone coverage.

“That was a tough game for all of us. They had us on the ropes,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “I went back and watched the tape on Patrick and I thought the tape was better than the feeling during the game. But he had a really good game against Washington and we’re real pleased with him.”

He was one of the many Ravens to bounce back six days later in a 31-17 win over the Washington Football Team in Week Four. He led the team in tackles with a dozen including nine solos and three for a loss, but he still had some issues in coverage, and on Wednesday he acknowledged where he needs to get better.

“Sometime my eyes get me in trouble when I see a little candy floating around,” Queen said. “(I’m) just sticking to my guys and trusting the defense.”

The Ravens knew coming into the year that both their rookie inside linebackers, Queen and third-rounder Malik Harrison, would make their fair share of mistakes especially since COVID-19 robbed them of the preseason and all of the in-person offseason program. Harbaugh shared that it is not uncommon for young off-ball linebackers to struggle in zone coverage and believes his young defensive stud will continue to get better.

“Zone-coverage, I think, is probably the toughest thing for the inside ‘backers as young guys,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a lot of matches that go on, a lot of pattern reads. There are different things you have to understand on the run. He knows that’s probably the one area where he can continue to improve.”

The starting MIKE inside linebacker position in the middle of the Ravens defense is a prestigious honor and comes with a rich tradition of excellence dating back to the Lewis era. Queen was selected to eventually become the future face of Baltimore’s defense and if you ask veteran outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, that future is bright with him as the main man in the middle.

“I think he’s the future of the defense,” McPhee said. “I get very excited when I get a chance not only to watch him in person but to watch him on film to see how good his instincts are. (General Manager) Eric (DeCosta) made a great decision when they drafted him.”

One additional aspect of his game in coverage that could use some improvement and I’m sure the coaches will be working with him on is being more physical at the line of scrimmage and within the five yards where defenders are allowed to make contact but not blatantly hold.

He needs to give running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers more than just a shove when they release off the line or cross his face in order to knock them off the route or at least disrupt the timing of the opposing team’s passing plays.