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Big shoes to fill: Replacing 2019 NFL Draft first round picks

By Cody Williams

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) reacts after getting the sack against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten championship game on December 1, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) reacts after getting the sack against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten championship game on December 1, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) is sacked by LSU Tigers linebacker Patrick Queen (8) during a game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide on November 3, 2018, at Tiger Stadium, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) is sacked by LSU Tigers linebacker Patrick Queen (8) during a game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide on November 3, 2018, at Tiger Stadium, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Patrick Queen – LSU

Replacing: Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite many other talented players being on the board, it was hard for anyone to question the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking a linebacker, Devin White from the LSU Tigers, with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Not only did the Bucs have a glaring need with Kwon Alexander departing in free agency, but White also wowed consistently throughout his time in Baton Rouge as the leader of a stout defense.

Over the last two seasons across 26 total games, White accrued 256 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defensed and even put up 7.5 sacks from his inside linebacker spot. With a blend of uncanny athleticism and leadership in the middle of the field, White leaves a big hole to fill on the Tigers defense moving forward.

Despite the size of that hole on the defense, LSU is actually somewhat equipped to fill it thanks to Patrick Queen. After all, White was suspended for the start of the Alabama game last season and sat out in the Fiesta Bowl, which allowed Queen to garner some valuable starter experience at linebacker. In those games, he acquitted himself well as he notched nine tackles in each contest.

It’s hard to say that Queen will be able to match the athletic tools that White brought to the table because, simply, those are special traits. However, he has shown that he can step in and be an impact player, which the Tigers will need him to become for an entire year in 2019.

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