The Baltimore Ravens have built a reputation for drafting and developing elite talent, and their 2024 rookie class is the latest proof. While not every rookie saw significant playing time, two stood out so much that they propelled Baltimore's draft class into NFL.com's final top 10 rookie rankings.
NFL.com's Gennaro Filice ranked Baltimore's 2024 rookie class ninth overall with a B+ grade, thanks almost entirely to first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins and second-round right tackle Roger Rosengarten. They were the only two Ravens rookies to play major roles this season, and they excelled on both sides of the ball.
Wiggins helped stabilize a Ravens secondary that was getting torched early in the season, while Rosengarten stepped in at right tackle and immediately gave Baltimore a reliable presence on the offensive line. Because of their contributions, the Ravens' rookie class ranks among the league’s best—despite minimal production from the rest of the group.
Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten changed everything for the Ravens
When the Ravens drafted Nate Wiggins, some worried about his slight frame and physicality at the NFL level. But once he got on the field, those concerns disappeared, according to Filice:
"The cornerback’s slight frame led to pre-draft concerns about his physicality, but he played with an edge in Zach Orr’s defense. And his 4.28 speed kept him right in the hip pocket of receivers, as the sticky cover man finished the season allowing a completion rate of just 47.8 percent -- the third-lowest figure among all cornerbacks who faced at least 30 targets, per Next Gen Stats.”
For a team that struggled with pass defense early in the year, Wiggins' emergence was crucial. Baltimore was getting torched on a weekly basis to the tune of a league-worst 294.9 passing yards per game before Week 11. After that? Only two teams managed to throw for over 200 yards against them. Wiggins' ability to lock down opposing receivers allowed Kyle Hamilton to play more of a deep-safety role, giving Baltimore’s secondary a major boost when it mattered most.
On the other side of the ball, Roger Rosengarten turned out to be one of the best value picks in the entire draft:
“On offense, Baltimore had major questions on the line last offseason, needing to replace three starters. Fortunately, the Ravens pounced on Roger Rosengarten near the end of the second round. Despite being the 11th offensive tackle off the board, Rosengarten proved to be a godsend for Baltimore.”
Rosengarten started 14 games at right tackle and held his own against some of the league’s top pass rushers. His emergence allowed Patrick Mekari to move to guard, strengthening an offensive line that helped Baltimore finish first in total yards and rushing yards while tying for the third-fewest sacks allowed in the league.
Baltimore has long been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, and their 2024 class is another example. While some rookies didn’t see the field much, the impact of Wiggins and Rosengarten was enough to carry the class into the league’s top 10. There's more than enough time for guys like Adisa Isaac, T.J. Tampa, and DeVontez Walker to take this class into the top five.
With another strong draft in 2025, the Ravens can continue building around their young core and take another step toward a Super Bowl run. If history is any indicator, general manager Eric DeCosta will do exactly that.