OWING MILLS — Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins is getting acclimated to the NFL during the voluntary workouts.
He is making adjustments from rookie camp to having the veterans at practice.
“I would say just the tempo of the game,” Wiggins said about the biggest difference between college and pro football. “It’s the speed [and] just going fast. In college, you just go with the flow. This is not like [that]. It’s quick. Everything is fast, so you have to get fit.”
He shared his early impression of the team’s wide receivers:
On competing with fellow rookie and wide receiver Devontez Walker: “It’s been fun. We’re both getting better every day. So, yes, it’s been fun.”
Who has been the most difficult wide receiver to cover: “ “[It would] probably [be Rashod] Bateman. He’s just shifty [and] has a lot of quickness in the route.”
Who has been the most fun to cover? “[It would] probably [be] Zay Flowers. [It’s] just because we met up in college, so we both know how … We know we’re both fast, so it’s just fun to compete.” Wiggins (Clemson) competed against Flowers (Boston College) in the Atlantic Coach Conference.
The Ravens selected Wiggins with the 30th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. It was the first cornerback the team selected in the first round since Marlon Humphrey with the 16th pick in 2017.
Wiggins is a lockdown defensive back who allowed just one completion of 20-plus yards last season. He ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Last season, the Ravens ranked second in the NFL with 18 interceptions and Wiggins could be a boost for turnovers this season. Wiggins is confident he is a perfect fit for the Ravens’ defense and will compete for a starting job.
He has already impressed some of the older players on the roster, such as fellow cornerback Brandon Stephens.
“His speed is crazy. I’m trying to get some of that myself,” Stephens said. “He’s doing a great job in the meeting rooms, asking the right questions [and] always trying to learn. You can tell he’s kind of hard on himself, but you like to see that with the young guys.”
