Ravens rookie named 2024 'breakout candidate'

The Ravens have 23 unrestricted free agents this offseason, which paves the way for several young players to have bigger roles in 2024. That's why Pro Football Focus named one of Baltimore's rookies a 2024 breakout candidate.

PFF named LB Trenton Simpson, the Ravens' 2023 third-round pick, an "early breakout candidate" for 2024.

"The Ravens are currently on pace to lose about 56 percent of their defensive linebacker snaps with both Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison slated to hit free agency, which should allow Simpson to earn more looks in 2024," PFF's Jonathon Macri writes.

Simpson played just 49 defensive snaps in his rookie season with the most significant playing time coming in Week 18 when Baltimore sat several of its starters after locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

But the rookie linebacker impressed in the regular season finale, posting seven tackles and one sack. His performance may have solidified the belief of those who think Queen has played his last snap as a Raven.

Baltimore already invested a five-year, $100M contract into LB Roquan Smith last offseason and is projected to have just $13.65M in cap space next season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Of course, there are several moves the team can make to clear up more space, but it still may not be enough to keep Queen around.

In a perfect world, Queen would return to the Ravens next year, but that's looking less likely after another dominant season.

The 24-year-old posted 250 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 12 passes defensed from 2022-23. Queen is expected to receive a five-year, $92.64M deal ($18.5M per year), per Spotrac.

If Baltimore is forced to move on from Queen, it will leave Simpson with big shoes to fill. But if the young linebacker continues to play like he did in Week 18, the Ravens should be just fine.