Patrick Queen was selected to a second consecutive Pro Bowl after his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his production nevertheless took a step back.
The Steelers outside linebacker registered 129 total tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack in 17 starts. It marked a decline across the board from his fourth and final season with the Baltimore Ravens.
At least one NFL scout believes Queen will improve as he enters his second season with Mike Tomlin’s team.
“He’s at his best as a fast flow run-and-hit WILL backer,” an NFC Scout told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “I expect him to be better in his second year in Pittsburgh.”
Queen did not crack ESPN’s top 10 at off-ball linebacker, the ranking stemming from the opinions of league executives, coaches and scouts. Instead, the 2020 first-round pick received an honorable mention.
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“He’s always been a bit up and down,” an AFC executive told Fowler. “Didn’t think last year was top-10 worthy.”
An NFL personnel evaluator added: “Has good speed, can close and can blitz, but when he runs backdoor he doesn’t always get there as much as you’d like.”
With the status of T.J. Watt reportedly up in the air, Queen could be tasked to take on an even larger role with the Steelers, who signed the linebacker to a three-year contract in 2024.
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Featured image via Katie Stratman/Imagn Images