OTL: Ravens Run the Card Up for Nate Wiggins

The first round of the NFL Draft has come and gone, with the Ravens adding a freak athlete to the cornerback room.

With pick No. 30 we have selected CB Nate Wiggins

Welcome to Baltimore, @WigginNathanielpic.twitter.com/xhPtL6DCHv

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 26, 2024

When it comes to Wiggins, I personally really loved his tape, in which his freak athleticism shows up constantly. He is a pure playmaker with great ball skills, and he just has that “It” factor. He is long, fast, and fluid, and I can see why the NFL and the Ravens were high on him.

“He’s a pure cover corner!” @MoveTheSticks breaks down the addition of Nate Wiggins. Tune in on @nflnetwork! pic.twitter.com/60biukGZXq

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 26, 2024

Some of these plays are special, and I can see Wiggins making a big play to help the Ravens win a close game. He is also only 20 years old and won’t turn 21 until August. This is a clear shot at upside here, and the Ravens ran that card up quickly.

#ravens must have loved whoever was on the board. Ran the card up. pic.twitter.com/7xIu2mSM3l

— Spenser Peterson (@spensercp) April 26, 2024

Think they were sure of the pick?

With the signing of Rashod Bateman, it felt like the Ravens were not taking a receiver with the first pick. It would have been awesome to see AD Mitchell with this team, but something is causing him to fall, and at this juncture, it seems it must be something with his medicals or off-the-field issues.

So, it truly came down to an O-line pick or corner. The thing is that there was no offensive lineman I would have liked at thirty for the Ravens, so it came down to who they thought was the best cover corner:

DeCosta said he felt like the Ravens had to come out of the 1st round with either a corner or an OL. “Honestly I didn’t think Nate would be there for us.”

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 26, 2024

It would have looked bad had the Ravens reached severely to take a higher need over the better player. While OT is a big need, so was CB. So no, I don’t mind if the Ravens put a little trust into their scouting department to find a good lineman or two in the second or third round.

Now, the only complaint I have is that Wiggins is really skinny and has some durability issues.

The Ravens, however, feel like they can put some good weight on him. Remember, he is only 20.

Harbaugh: “When you watch the tape, he comes up and smacks people. He’s not afraid of the physical part of it at all. The weight doesn’t impede him at all.”
DeCosta: “He’ll gain weight.”

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 26, 2024

If they pack some weight on him, you might have gotten an absolute steal at 30. Many people have said he can’t tackle, which is wrong. He is willing to tackle and is in the right spot; he just gets washed out because of his weight. If they coach and muscle him up, it will all fall into place.

Looking forward to tonight and beyond, look out for a tackle pick at 62. EDC said he likes some players later in this class, and a guy like Blake Fisher would be an awesome selection.

Welcome to Baltimore, Nate Wiggins. This secondary just got a lot scarier.

The post OTL: Ravens Run the Card Up for Nate Wiggins appeared first on Russell Street Report.