Patrick Queen expected to have a bounce-back year according to PFF

As the 2025 NFL offseason progresses into the summer months, there will constantly be a barrage of lists and rankings from various outlets. While some fans will have preferred places where they look for particular rankings, others will just avoid the information altogether.

Over the next two weeks, I will be reporting on the members of the Pittsburgh Steelers who landed in the top 32 players at various positions according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). I know there are many who like to criticize PFF rankings, with me being one of them, it doesn’t mean that their information is always incorrect. While they used rankings for some of their reasoning in placing the players on these list, it was not their ultimate deciding factor and instead was the opinion of the various authors depending on which position group was being covered.

Whenever I cover various things from PFF, I often give the disclaimer reminding people that their grades are merely an opinion. One thing PFF should be commended on is that they collect an immense amount of data, particularly looking at each player on every snap, in order to form their opinion. But more data doesn’t automatically deliver a correct opinion. Regardless, it is still a great point of discussion to see where the Pittsburgh Steelers rank and the various positional groups.

Next up, let’s look at PFF’s rankings at the linebacker position where the Steelers only have one player in the top 32.

16. Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers

After two excellent seasons in Baltimore, Queen wasn’t as strong in his first trip out in Pittsburgh. His 56.7 PFF overall grade fell well short of the 70.0-plus marks he posted in the two seasons prior. Now more acclimated to the Steelers, Queen may return to his baseline, which is 64.0-plus PFF grades in run defense, coverage and pass rushing.

First, it should be noted that free agent linebacker C.J. Mosley came in 15th on the list and has announced his retirement since this article was published. Ironically, PFF included a 33rd player as an honorable mention, so players from Patrick Queen on down should technically all shift up one position.

As for Queen, he did not put up good scores according to PFF in 2024 as he ranked 65th of 84 qualifying linebackers. It should be noted that Queen had similar statistics in 2024 as he did in 2023 and was once again selected to the Pro Bowl. Still, PFF believes that Queen was getting acclimated to the Steelers and is in line for a much better season.

What is interesting is that Payton Wilson ranked 17th of 84 linebackers in 2024 yet did not land on the list. As is the case with most of these types of classifications this time of year, name recognition means a lot. Going into his second season, Payton Wilson has a lot to prove but could be primed to be a big part of the Steelers defense.

It should be noted that Queen ranked second among the linebackers in the AFC North coming in only behind his former teammate Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens who was fourth. There was one representative from each AFC North team as Jordan Hicks of the Cleveland Browns came in 20th followed by Logan Wilson of the Cincinnati Bengals landing 24th.

Other position groups covered:

Center
Edge Rusher
Tight End
Interior Defensive Line
Wide Receiver