The Ravens believe in what Wiggins can do.
The Baltimore Ravens made one of the best picks of the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round when they perfectly combined their need for a defensive back and desire for value by taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick.
Wiggins was one of the best pure cover corners in the entire draft, as he allowed just one catch over 20 yards (to new teammate Devontez Walker) last season without giving up a touchdown. The 6-2 star also possesses elite speed, running a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The Ravens know what a dominant force he could be.
Baltimore has openly said they didn’t expect Wiggins to be there at No. 30 overall, as coaches were laughing in pre-draft meetings when the ideal hypothetical was proposed to them. Knowing Wiggins was within striking distance, the Ravens were not going to let him slip through their fingers.
According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the Ravens turned down a whopping eight trade offers from teams looking to move up in the second round just to ensure that Wiggins would end up in Baltimore. Undeterred by the weight concerns, Wiggins is in prime position to become a long-term piece for the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens turned down eight trades to draft Nate Wiggins
ESPN Analytics said there was only a 35% chance of Wiggins being available at pick No. 30 overall before the draft. Wiggins slid due to an unprecedented run of offensive players early in the order. Only Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold were picked ahead of him by Philadelphia and Detroit, respectively.
Wiggins may have fallen due to concerns about his weight, as he clocked in at just 173 pounds at the NFL Combine and 182 at his Pro Day. The only first-round cornerback that skinny in recent memory was Emmanuel Forbes, who was benched due to poor performance as a rookie in Washington last year.
The Ravens feel confident in Wiggins, and they have a history of nailing it at this position. The Ravens have picked four cornerbacks in the first round before Wiggins. Chris McAllister and Marlon Humphrey have been All-Pro players, Jimmy Smith was a stud on a Super Bowl winner, and Duane Starks picked off 20 passes in four years on the greatest defense in league history.
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr and defensive backs coach Chris Hewitt were in awe of Wiggins’ game, showing that this team will move heaven and earth to get the most out of him and get him as many reps with the starters as possible. If he clicks, the Ravens will have added another star.