Count ESPN's Louis Riddick among those who approve of the Baltimore Ravens drafting cornerback Nate Wiggins with the 30th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 20-year-old Clemson cornerback is long, tall, and fluid athlete.
Not only were the Ravens ecstatic to draft Wiggins — with head coach John Harbaugh saying he was joking with his staff about Wiggins falling to them — Riddick raved about the pick on Thursday.
Speaking to Scott Van Pelt on "Sportscenter," Riddick called it a "home run" for the Ravens.
"This is a guy who plays like a Raven," Riddick said. "That’s something that John Harbaugh talks about all the time. That’s their DNA down there. What exactly does it mean? It means maximum effort, maximum physicality, positional versatility, and a guy who will run and hit. And this kid has all of that. Big, long, tall, 4.28 in the 40[-yard dash], all the hustle plays that he had at Clemson. Can cover big guys, little guys, play inside, play outside, play the slot .... He will fit in perfectly at a position of need for them down in Baltimore.
"And I’m telling you, the Baltimore Ravens fan base will love the guy. He is the prototypical Raven."
Riddick said if he was a GM, he would be glad to take big, skilled, athletic cornerbacks like Wiggins, adding, "and so will the Ravens."
As Riddick alluded to, Wiggins made several highlight-reel plays at Clemson, including a 98-yard interception of now-New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, and a big chase-down forced fumble against North Carolina.
The Ravens needed cornerback depth, particularly on the outside, and Wiggins seemed to perfectly fit the need and mold of a player the Ravens wanted.
