NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah weighed in on Nate Wiggins after the Baltimore Ravens took the former Clemson star cornerback with the 30th overall pick Thursday night in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah compares the lengthy, speedy and fluid Wiggins to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a two-time Pro Bowl former NFL cornerback.
“In terms of just the pure cover corner, that’s what he is. He reminded me of DRC, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,” Jeremiah said.
“The 173 pounds was a little startling,” Jeremiah added of Wiggins’ weight at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He got to his Pro Day, he was back up over 180, so that was encouraging. A very dynamic athlete. The testing numbers were excellent. He’s very loose and fluid and smooth in all of his movements as he keeps his eyes on the quarterback.”
Jeremiah pointed out the closing speed and the effort that Wiggins showed on tape.
“Watch this speed to close here,” Jeremiah said of a Wiggins highlight from last year’s Georgia Tech game. “He can close down that space. That catchup, that makeup speed, he’s got it big time.”
“The effort to chase plays down… He did it twice,” Jeremiah continued, pointing out a pair of Wiggins highlights from last year’s games against Miami and North Carolina. “Forced the fumble at the 1-yard line (against Miami). Here he is against North Carolina, another one. Phenomenal effort to chase that play down.”
Jeremiah feels some of Wiggins’ tackling was an issue, but believes the Ravens will help him shore that up.
“Tackling wasn’t great. He was a little content to hang on blocks at times. But you go to the Baltimore Ravens, they will coach you out of that very quickly,” Jeremiah said.
During Wiggins’ college career spanning 2021-23, the Atlanta native notched 50 tackles (3.0 for loss), 24 pass breakups, three interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles, a sack and a blocked field goal in 1,377 career snaps over 34 games (18 starts).
Wiggins scored touchdowns of 98 yards (an ACC Championship Game record) and 46 yards on pick-sixes in 2022 and 2023, respectively. In doing so, he became the first Clemson player since Rex Varn in 1977-78 to score on an interception return in back-to-back seasons. Wiggins, a 2023 first-team All-ACC selection, also accounted two of the 16 career interceptions thrown by Drake Maye, who was selected with the No. 3 overall pick on Thursday.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
Most Popular
Comments / 0