The Baltimore Ravens appear to have knocked it out of the park once again in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they managed to both crush their premium picks early in the draft while finding great value later in the ordeal. Taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins at No. 30 overall preceded another tremendous haul.
While the Ravens received praise for their overall draft class, which included Washington right tackle Roger Rosengarten in the second round and Penn State pass rusher Adisa Isaac in the third round, the selection of Wiggins will obviously have the biggest impact on post-draft grades.
Pro Football Focus gave the Ravens an A- for their draft, with the selection of Wiggins drawing high praise. Bleacher Report quibbled with the selection of Wiggins over Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry, but they still have the Ravens a B+ overall.
A notoriously stingy grader in ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Ravens a B+, but talked extensively about how he liked the Wiggins and Rosengarten picks. One of the only major sites not to show Baltimore in praise for the Wiggins pick was NFL.com, which gave the Ravens a B on Day 1 for taking Wiggins but an A grade for Days 2 and 3.
Nate Wiggins has confidence in himself 😤
— PFF (@PFF) April 27, 2024
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2024 NFL Draft Grades: Nate Wiggins helps Baltimore Ravens get high marks
Even those who have some mild skepticism about Wiggins as a player have little to say about his coverage ability. With a 6-2 frame, elite speed (4.28 40-yard dash), and great contested catch skills, Wiggins only surrendered one catch of greater than 20 yards last season. Ironically, it was new teammate and former North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker who made that catch.
Wiggins is joining a possible starting right tackle in Rosengarten and a pass rusher in Isaac that drew rave reviews for his speed and overall motor. Baltimore also pulled off two of the biggest steals in the entire draft by selecting Walker and Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa in the fourth round.
Wiggins said that Baltimore had informed him he would be their selection at No. 30 overall if he fell that far, and they made good on that promise to pick him. If he plays up to what his immense talent suggests he is capable of, these draft grades may need to be taken from B+ back up to an A-grade.