Ravens Draft Clemson LB Trenton Simpson

With the 86th pick (3rd round) of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson.

RSR staff react to the pick here.

Rob Shields

My reaction is that Patrick Queen is gone and maybe by the end of the weekend.

I’m sure this guy was BPA but he wasn’t an area they needed someone right now…unless they have something going on with PQ.

Simpson is a talented guy and most had him as one of the best ILB in this draft. The only issue is, should they have taken Ringo or another CB instead?

Chris Schisler

I like the pick of Simpson but I didn’t see it coming. I was locked into the cornerback mindset, which remains the top need of the team. The Ravens value athletic freaks at the linebacker position. They got great speed at the second level. They also value taking the best player available. They may have done that here.

This makes Patrick Queen even more on the trading block and probably prevents him from getting his fifth year option picked up. Simpson is a high upside pick. If he develops according to his potential he will work perfectly with Roquan Smith.

Would I have preferred drafting for need here? Yes. It’s a surprising pick, but it makes sense for the Ravens.

Darin McCann

After securing an explosive player in the first round, the Ravens came right back with another with third-round linebacker Trenton Simpson. My first reaction was that Patrick Queen might be traded this weekend, but now I’m reconsidering, and think they might let Queen play out his contract, shuffle Simpson in and out during the season and have him ready to start season two — similar to how Kyle Hamilton was settled into the safety group that included Chuck Clark all season.

Obviously, this means Queen will have already been traded by the time you read this.

It doesn’t solve what’s perceived to be an immediate need, but they added speed to a position group that at the least needed stronger depth, and gave themselves some options.

Nikhil Mehta

I have not watched enough Trenton Simpson film to love or hate this pick, but what I do know, I like. His 9.84 RAS includes an elite 4.43-second 40-yard dash, including an unreal 1.48-second 10-yard split. He’s a solid coverage linebacker who closes to the ball with lightning speed and intensity, and finishes plays with violence. Like almost every ILB entering the NFL, he’ll have a ways to go in his processing and play recognition, but Roquan Smith will be an excellent mentor in that respect. As a weapon in Mike Macdonald’s defense, he’ll do a bit of everything and make his presence felt, especially by opposing ballcarriers.

This pick does indicate that the Ravens intend to move on from Patrick Queen, and certainly won’t be picking up his fifth-year option. Baltimore has been open about wanting to add more picks – this selection may free them up to do just that by trading Queen.

Brennan Stewart

In EDC we trust, right?

Linebacker was not the position I was expecting, but as we know, the “best player available” is always the favored way to go for this organization.

Simpson is a highly-skilled player who seems to have gotten better with each year he played at Clemson. Last season he recorded a career-high 72 total tackles, 41 of which were solo. With potential to be developed into a solid pass-defender, his ceiling should be considered very high.

As for what this means going forward, I think a Patrick Queen trade is very likely. Could the Cardinals be a target if there’s still an interest for DeAndre Hopkins? Or does EDC want to walk away from this draft with more than five picks? Only time will tell, but the linebacker corps is sure looking crowded.

Jared Pinder

This pick is weird, man. Simpson is an uber Athlete that didn’t play well at all last year at Clemson. He played all over the field for Clemson, not just as a linebacker. This pick obviously calls into question the future of Patrick Queen in Baltimore. EDC has been very quiet about not picking up his fifth-year option. Obviously, with Lamar’s new contract, we can’t pay everyone, and I don’t even think Queen has been consistent enough for an extension. I wonder if the Simpson will play more of a Tyus Bowser-type role where he rushes the passer more than actually plays inside lnebacker.

Simpson is a decent prospect, but the pressing corner need remains. Simpson can be a fun weapon, though, but if this means the end for PQ, I will miss him.