Ravens Pro Bowler Roquan Smith believes that Baltimore has another budding star on their defense

The Baltimore Ravens had an interesting offseason where they may have lost more than they gained.

One loss they took was linebacker Patrick Queen and it hurt a bit more because he fled to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. Now, the Ravens have to have a replacement for him in place.

Roquan Smith is one of the best in the league and you know he’s going to bring it in the middle of the defense every Sunday. Smith has high praise for who will likely be stepping in for Queen, too.

“‘Simp’ [Trenton Simpson], just talking with him this offseason and even last season, I know the type of respect he has for the game and for himself as well,” Smith said recently to the media. “The way he’s been busting his tail all offseason, talking with [strength & conditioning coordinator] Scott [Elliott] and everyone about [how] the guy is busting his tail, wanting to be the best. I know his mindset, so I’m excited. He has all the potential in the world. It is just going to be about putting that on the field week in and week out and just trusting his ability. If he does that, I think he’ll be the best second-year linebacker in the league, in my opinion.”

As a rookie, Simpson did appear in 15 games but was used sparingly with 13 tackles totaled. In the final regular season game of the year, the former third-round pick showed what he could do with seven tackles and a sack.

Any linebacker who plays next to an All-Pro talent is going to have the game made a lot easier for them. Sure, there will be some growing pains but Simpson getting acclimated with Smith helping out is an ideal situation.

It is high praise from Smith, who said that Simpson can be the best second-year linebacker in the league. The 2023 draft class has the Detroit Lions take Jack Campbell and the Philadelphia Eagles take Nolan Smith.