NFL Draft Rumors: Ravens Replacing Patrick Queen?

Is letting Patrick Queen walk in free agency and drafting linebacker Edgerrin Cooper the key to keeping the Ravens' defense elite?

It will be challenging for the Baltimore Ravens to keep all of their free agents this off-season, so it’s likely time that fans get used to the idea of drafting replacements.

Linebacker Patrick Queen is coming off the best season of his career, but there’s a chance that he’ll command too much money in free agency to bring back next year; luckily, Edgerrin Cooper will be available.

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Cooper is a Texas A&M linebacker with three years of playing in the SEC behind his belt.

Last season, he finished with 84 total tackles, 17 for loss, Teri sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections; he also had two interceptions in his career.

His numbers might not jump off the page like Roquan Smith’s did at Georgia when he had two seasons with at least 95 total tackles, but Cooper isn’t a projected top-10 pick either.

Instead, the 6-2 220 is currently expected to fall into the third round and could be an absolute steal. On paper, the linebacker has the upside to do just about everything that are Queen has done in Baltimore since getting drafted out of LSU with a similar production to Cooper.

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With proper coaching from former inside linebackers coach Turner defensive coordinator Zach Orr, there’s no reason to believe this defense can’t remain elite even if it loses one of its Pro Bowlers in free agency.

All that’s left for Cooper to do is have a strong pre-draft process to convince the Ravens that he’s their guy, and the Al-American could be taking his talents to Baltimore.