The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the 2025 season dreaming of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. They have been a consistent playoff threat over the past several seasons, but each time they find a new way to fumble away a golden opportunity.
Their team has a surplus of talent. It might be one of the best rosters in the NFL, so it is easy to see why they are one of the favorites to win the AFC in 2025. However, the construction of this year’s team is suited to be competitive for the foreseeable future. From veterans to young players, there are franchise cornerstones all over the field. One of those younger stars who could soon dominate the league is cornerback Nate Wiggins.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report listed each NFL team’s most promising building block heading into the 2025 campaign. For the Ravens, Wiggins is seen as one of the most promising players on the team and could form one half of a top corner duo in the league alongside All-Pro Marlon Humphrey. He also holds the keys to the team’s future success. Moton wrote:
“While on the field for 68 percent of the defensive snaps last season, Wiggins recorded 13 pass breakups and an interception while allowing a 50 percent completion rate and a 66.7 pass rating in coverage.”
Wiggins is the key to Baltimore putting together a dominant year on defense
The Ravens had significant issues on the defensive side in 2024. Every team in the NFL knew it. For most of the year, their secondary could not stop a nosebleed, and while eventually they figured things out and clamped down on offenses in the final stretch, it was still one of the worst seasons a Ravens defense has had in its history.
As with most rookies in Baltimore, Wiggins took some time to get consistent starting reps. Once he locked down the starting spot, there was a learning curve, but after getting enough experience under his belt, he helped the unit maneuver the late-season turnaround. His impact in those final games is why he is Baltimore's most crucial building block.
The Clemson product showed glimpses of being a future superstar. He might have the most confidence many have seen out of a rookie cornerback, and has the athleticism to match any wide receiver step for step. He showcased it in the final game of the regular season against the Cleveland Browns, where he posted a career-high 84.1 grade per Pro Football Focus. He also captured his first career interception and returned it for six in that matchup.
Wiggins’ growth in 2025 could be a key catalyst in Baltimore’s 2025 Super Bowl run. Their defense took immense strides at the end of the season, and if they can grow and find a rhythm throughout the campaign, they could claim their first AFC crown and maybe Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era.