I did a mock and completely ignored need.

My first 3 rounds went like this:

1. Patrick Queen
2. Kyle Dugger
3. Amik Robertson

Holy shit the middle of the field would be locked the **** down.

Queen is a little faster Murray, by like a very small fraction of a second... He might be a tad better in pass pro, but he's also weaker than Murray in stopping the run and getting to the QB.

He's significantly better in pass, Queen is one of the most fluid LB's I've ever seen when dropping into coverage...

One of our weakness in the first half of last year was stopping the run, I'm mainly looking at it from that perspective. I just think Murray is better in that regard, I am not opposed to Queen, everybody on here wants a good pass pro linebacker as well.

Queen's a Will backer, IMO. I just don't see a way for him to be a true Mike.

Murray...well he could be a Mike. And physically he has all the tools to be just as strong in coverage as Queen, but he was never asked to do it. So really you just don't know.

I think people are beating on Brooks a little too much, personally. Dude played credibly in coverage in the B12. That means something. No, he's not the pure coverage player Queen is but honestly, he's probably better at everything else on the field. And Murray may be in the same spot. These are still good athletes who do other linebacker things very very well.

You're putting a LOT on coverage ability if you're buying into Queen as a clear top option. And honestly, that may be the right approach.

But I do have some concerns about his versatility as a LBer.

Queen is a straight 4-3 will, no question about that, he isn't as versatile as some of the other guys.

I just think in todays NFL, he has more value because what he's really good at is something that is rare and when you have it, it means something in the pass heavy game.

But he's gotta be good enough at linebacker stuff to be...a linebacker. Not just a glorified 3rd safety.

And that's my worry with him. Is he actually an outstanding coverage linebacker? Or is he just a bigger safety, making him something of a tweener?

I like him, but I think things are a little more hazy with him than some believe. He's not a true 'three down linebacker' in that he's really not an asset against the run. He's a guy who's probably going to be a little weak in that regard. Yeah, he's better at the key downs but have we all forgotten the frustrations of our ass run defense so quickly?

If he slides or if the Chiefs don't take him...well I'll understand why.

I think he'll grow into being a complete player, everything about him is his work ethic and want to is top notch, so I think he gets there, his pass cover stuff though, he's more comfortable at that than basically 95% of LBs you'll see do it.

Kenneth Murray Scouting Report


Strengths:
Sideline-to-sideline speed
Tough run defender
Good tackler
Hard hitter
Very physical
Quick
Diagnosis skills
Read-and-react skills
Fits a 4-3 or 3-4 defense
Always around the ball
Quick to the flat
Closing speed
Rangy
Advanced pass-coverage linebacker
Can help cover against tight ends and running backs
Can drop into zone coverage
Good instincts
Dangerous edge rusher
Ability to bend
Ability to dip
Has the speed to turn the corner
Asset to spy mobile quarterbacks
Strong, thick build
Durable
Leader
Hard worker
Athletic upside
Upside; continues to improve
https://walterfootball.com/scoutingr...020kmurray.php

I don't think Murray gets enough credit for his pass protection on CP, I realize it's not up to par with the finesse style of Queen, but he's quite capable.

Basically the differences here are, Murray played in a lot more games, he's a more finished product, and he's also a much more NFL made player, he's super safe and easy to project.

Patrick Queen is a new style of player that started 9 games, now his athletic skills are off the charts though, but not nearly as finished of a product.

I get that, and I guess I lean more towards a proven commodity, than a possible one year wonder... Not to say, Queen won't have very good, if not great NFL career.

Queen also coming from a school that has a pretty solid history of putting really good LBs into the league.

Now consider who we have in Hitchens.

Hitchens appears to be stretched a bit as a Mike, but he excelled as a Will in Dallas. Moreover, a Will backer is a bit easier to come across than a true 3-down Mike.

I've been reluctant to consider Murray in the same class as Queen but over the last week or so, I've moved them to no worse than neck and neck and frankly, I might like Murray more at this point.

He's a true linebacker who can cover. Queen's a cover player who will play linebacker. I know 'positionless football' is the thing right now but ultimately I think it's easier to scheme guys into positions to succeed - run defense, OTOH, you either have the manpower or you don't.

Eh....just don't draft a !@#$ing runningback and I'll be happy.

Queen is also 20 years old, wouldn't stun me at all if his body matures a bit more also. I personally think Hitchens has maybe a 1 year 2 max left here and our entire LB position is likely to be overhauled in the next 2 years.

Really?

Last 20 years you have mostly JAGs, no?

Kelvin Sheppard
Perry Riley
Bradie James
Kevin Minter

That's about it - am I missing someone? Minter's probably the best player of that lot, almost by default.

Then there's Devin White but the books far from written there.

I wouldn't say LSU has any kind of standout history for linebackers unless I'm just completely whiffing on someone.