2020 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers select Patrick Queen

It’s the Green Bay Packers’ turn in the Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft. SJLionFan609 is the commenter that bit the bullet and traded alliances simply for the sake of this draft simulation. Some may label SJLionFan609 as a villain for this. I, for one, view him as a hero—falling on this grenade so the rest of us can be safe.

So without further ado, let’s let this hero take the podium.

“With the 30^th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Patrick Queen, linebacker from LSU. I originally went into this draft wanting the best wide receiver available for the Packers, but after doing some research on our SB Nation’s sister site Acme Packing Company and discovering the Packers haven’t picked a WR in Round 1 since Javon Walker in 2002, I went in another direction. Also, with the depth at WR in this draft I can get a good one in Round 2. I also considered QB Jordan Love here as Aaron Rodgers’ heir, but I don’t see them wasting a pick on a developmental QB, so they might as well get a contributor when their window to win now closing each year as Rodgers gets older.

Here’s what The Draft Network’s Joe Marino says about Queen:

“Patrick Queen has every trait needed to become an every down defensive playmaker at the next level. He’s athletic, fluid, physical, urgent and intelligent. More experience would be ideal, but Queen shined in the biggest moments of LSU’s Championship run, showcasing the skill set of a second level enforcer. Queen doesn’t have much in the way of restrictions, showcasing the reactive athleticism and movement skills needed to work sideline to sideline and thrive in pass coverage. While he may need some time to acclimate to the next level, Queen profiles as dynamic starter at MIKE or WILL in a 4-3 alignment that never comes off the field in sub packages.”

There was a lot of criticism with Pettine running nickel defenses, even on obvious rushing downs last year which led to a pretty poor rush defense overall that saw the Pack allow 4.7 yards per carry. Having a linebacker that can play the run and still be able to drop into coverage (yes, they actually do exist fellow, Lions fans!) is something that will help any defense get better. A couple negatives about Queen is he has only started a total of 16 games in his LSU career and he will have to add some bulk if he wants to play in the middle at the next level without getting blown away by NFL linemen.

Catch up with all the picks from our POD Community Mock here.