Patrick Queen highlighted as Detroit Lions trade target

There have been endless rumors hitting the proverbial shores of Baltimore since the Ravens decided to decline the fifth-year option on Patrick Queen's expiring rookie deal.

Following the acquisition of Roquan Smith midway through the 2022 season via trade with the Chicago Bears, the Ravens extended the superstar linebacker for five seasons and $100 million. Then, on the 2023 draft, Baltimore drafted another inside linebacker in Trenton Simpson.

Queen, entering a contract year and with a rather murky future when it comes to his tenure as a member of the Baltimore Ravens organization, might me on his way out if the franchise decides they'd be better off trading him for something now rather than losing him for free next March.

Writing a story highlighting new potential landing spots for "top trade targets," over Bleacher Report, Alex Kay pointed toward the case of Queen and the Baltimore Ravens linking the linebacker with an imaginary trade to the Detroit Lions.

The return the Ravens would receive is rather underwhelming, mind you, as Kay thinks everything it'd take Detroit to snatch the brewing superstar from the middle of the Ravens defensive is a 2024 second-round pick. Ugh.

"The Detroit Lions would be an ideal squad for Queen to sign his second NFL contract with. The Lions are on the cusp of contending after an extended period of rebuilding but still need some help at the linebacker spot. While the club did use a first-round pick on Jack Campbell, the aging Alex Anzalone is projected to start alongside the rookie this year. Anzalone will turn 30 next season and only earned a 59.2 PFF grade last year."

- Alex Kay, Bleacher Report

Kay might be right in his assessment of Queen in terms of fits in the linebacker unit of Detroit, but there is no way Baltimore sends one of its best performers and on-the-rise players away in exchange for a measly second-round pick.

Considering Detroit is expected to improve their record next year, and thus expected to land in the 45th+ overall range of selections next spring, the deal makes even less sense than you might have originally thought.

Queen has been one of the players whose "stock" has gone all the way up through the Ravens training camp.

That alone should solidify the position of Baltimore when it comes to handing the linebacker the hefty contract extension he's looking for when that time comes already into next year's offseason.

Reap the rewards of boasting Queen among the members of the 2023 Flock Nation, then pay the man and keep him in tow for years to come. Win-win, and simple as it gets.

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