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Patrick Queen celebrates a giant play.
The Baltimore Ravens had what most consultants agree is a prime draft class within the NFL, and such an professional is Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.
After watching what his hometown Ravens have been capable of do all weekend lengthy, Kiper got here away insanely impressed. In reality, he handed the group an ‘A’ grade for his or her work of the weekend in a brand new ESPN Insider piece, practically the best whole Kiper may give a group’s class.
Why was Kiper so excessive on the category? For starters, it patched holes and included some gamers different groups have been overlooking that ended up being potential steals for the group.
Right here’s a have a look at what Kiper wrote about why the grade was so excessive in Baltimore:
“Have a look at this Ravens roster. The place are the holes? Positively center linebacker. Possibly broad receiver. Most likely a guard to switch Marshal Yanda. However that’s it. So I favored that the Ravens acquired an off-ball linebacker at No. 28 whom Lamar Jackson referred to as “Ray Lewis Jr.,” and I favored that they didn’t have to maneuver as much as get him. Patrick Queen began solely 16 video games in his LSU profession, however his expertise bursts on the tape. He’s a match as a long-term C.J. Mosley alternative. (By the way in which: Baltimore has now drafted three linebackers within the first spherical: Lewis in 1996, Mosley in 2014 and Queen. These first two have been/are fairly good.)
In order you may see, all 5 of them have been at the least 20 spots greater on my remaining Massive Board. That’s excellent worth. Baltimore fortified the center of its protection — it gave up 4.Four yards per carry final season, most in franchise historical past — acquired a playmaker to assist Jackson within the slot, and picked a sort out with guard expertise who may compete to take over for Yanda, together with fourth-round decide Ben Bredeson (143). I’m additionally a giant fan of James Proche (201), a super-productive pass-catcher who may fill a job, and security Geno Stone (219) could possibly be a special-teams menace as a rookie. Getting him within the seventh spherical is stellar.
Normal supervisor Eric DeCosta had one other actually robust draft. Anticipate Baltimore to be a Tremendous Bowl contender once more.”
It’s greater than potential that's the case given how deep the group already is and the way good the category is. Baltimore attacked wants from begin to end, and acquired nice worth. For that purpose, Kiper is a giant fan.
Cal Ripken Welcomes Ravens Rookies
Saturday afternoon, former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. hopped on Twitter and shared a particular welcome with all the brand new gamers. He additionally instructed his personal story of being drafted, which is way totally different than the soccer gamers take care of in the present day.
Right here’s a have a look at Ripken Jr. and his welcome:
Clearly, it’s good for the gamers to get such a royal welcome to their new residence in Baltimore from a person who is really a legendary determine within the metropolis.
Michael Phelps Welcomed Patrick Queen to Ravens
Ripken Jr. wasn’t the one Baltimore determine wishing the gamers luck. After the Baltimore Ravens chosen linebacker Patrick Queen with decide No. 28 within the 2020 NFL Draft, Phelps hopped on and offered a welcome to Queen. Moreover, he additionally gave him some prime notch recommendation as to find out how to start his profession on the town.
“Very first thing, welcome to Baltimore. Second piece of recommendation? Name Ray Lewis. That man is aware of every little thing you want to learn about masking the center. Play effectively. You already gained one championship. Let’s do it once more within the large leagues. Good luck,” Phelps mentioned.
A name to Lewis isn't a foul thought for any Ravens newcomer, however for Queen, it is likely to be very important. The younger linebacker will probably be taking on a key place on the protection, and one Lewis is aware of effectively. Queen is self conscious sufficient that he's prone to take this recommendation and run with it to assist himself out.
Phelps would additionally know what it takes to achieve success in an athletic discipline, so it might be sensible for Queen to heed the phrases of the legend.
As a complete, the category was not solely welcomed by a couple of Baltimore establishments however graded extremely by one other one.
READ NEXT: Grading Ravens Total 2020 NFL Draft Class
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