Ravens Named a ‘Best Fit’ to Add Running Mate for Roquan Smith

Despite losing many important starters to injuries over the turbulent summer, the Baltimore Ravens boast one of the best defenses in the NFL going into the 2024 campaign. LB Patrick Queen was lost, and a writer for the Carolina Panthers believes a starter for the team may be a possible replacement.

Final Word in Sports Following the Panthers’ elimination from postseason contention, David Latham selected the Ravens as one of his “Best Fits” and believes that LB Shaq Thompson of the Panthers may be moved.

According to Latham, “Baltimore is still searching for a suitable replacement for linebacker Patrick Queen because they lack the resources to replace every departing starter.”

Queen, who played alongside teammate LB Roquan Smith and had one of his greatest seasons to date, went for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a division foe. Since his 2022 arrival, Smith—who is regarded as one of the NFL’s top linebackers—has grown to be a fan favorite.

Latham states that “fortifying the front seven should be a top priority for the team if they want to slow the elite passing attacks in the AFC.” Smith will require a running partner for the upcoming season.

The Ravens believe they can win the Super Bowl next season, and they must be prepared to stop the best offenses if they are to go past the AFC title game.

“A trade would enhance the talent of the entire team and could provide that extra push needed to defeat Kansas City in January, even though Shaq Thompson might not be able to put this team in the Super Bowl on his alone,” Latham counseled.

Shaq Thompson Is a Free Agent After 2024 Season

After being selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, Thompson is about to embark on his tenth season. Amazingly, he will just be thirty years old next season and still have plenty of tire wear remaining.

Thompson is a linebacker who has spent his whole nine seasons with the Panthers; however, he is approaching the last year of a contract that he renegotiated to a one-year, $3.01 million deal.

Due to an ankle fracture, the linebacker missed weeks three through eighteen of the current season. In 2023, Thompson was limited to only two games—a career low.

Throughout his career, Thompson has participated in at least 14 games before 2023. 2019 was the beginning of the end for him as it was the first year he had over 100 total tackles (109).

Prior to the injury that ended in 2023, he had four seasons in a row with 100 combined tackles, reaching a career high of 135 tackles.

He has racked up 717 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 52 tackles for loss, and 31 quarterback hits in his nine-year career. In addition, Thompson would have the advantage of playing behind the All-Pro Smith, who elevated Queen’s level of play.