Showing posts with label Nate Wiggins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nate Wiggins. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2024

Baltimore Ravens 2024 NFL Draft Grades Roundup

The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.

What draft grades have the media given to the Baltimore Ravens? What are they saying about the Ravens' 2024 draft haul?

NFL.com - Grade: A-

Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A

Analysis: The Ravens had yet another solid draft. Wiggins' elite recovery speed earned him a first-round slot, but he must answer questions about how his lean frame and inconsistent tackling translates to the next level. Rosengarten and Isaac were great value picks at two need spots.

I liked the selection of Walker, an outside playmaker, early in Round 4, even after the team re-upped Rashod Bateman. Tampa's size and strength at the catch point made him worthy of a Day 2 pick, but Baltimore landed him on Day 3. Ali is coming off a biceps injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. Leary's arm and experience gained him a draft spot. Samac's a powerful interior lineman.

ESPN - Grade: B+

Top needs entering the draft: Cornerback, offensive line, edge defender

The Ravens parted ways with a handful of starters from their 13-4 team, including guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, right tackle Morgan Moses, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Ronald Darby and linebacker Patrick Queen. They have a few players from the 2022 and 2023 drafts who could step up as starters this season, but there are big shoes to fill at important positions. So, what did GM Eric DeCosta do on the first two days of this draft? He landed three guys in my top 51, all of whom could be big-time rookie contributors, and got value with each selection.

Nate Wiggins (30) is one of the fastest cornerbacks in this class, a long and gifted cover man with good instincts. Though he's a little light at 173 pounds, he'll grow into his frame in time. Roger Rosengarten (52), one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft, could step in and start at right tackle in 2024. Edge rusher Adisa Isaac (93) went a full round below where I rated him. He had 16 tackles for loss last season and outshined teammate Chop Robinson on tape, though Isaac doesn't have the same kind of upside as a pass-rusher.

Wideout Tez Walker (113) and cornerback T.J. Tampa (130) were tremendous picks on Day 3. I thought Tampa might end up in Round 1 at one point, but there are questions about his recovery speed. Baltimore has had a great history of late-round running backs, and Rasheen Ali (165) could be the next one to make the team.

DeCosta did it again in this class; there are some excellent prospects here. It's not quite in the "A" tier, though.

The Ringer - Grade: B-

THIS WAS A DOWN-THE-FAIRWAY DRAFT FOR THE RAVENS, who did what they always seem to do each year by picking up a handful of talented future contributors. I liked the selection of cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round, giving the team an uber-athletic, plug-and-play starter on the outside. The team turned around in the second round and grabbed a smooth-moving right tackle in Roger Rosengarten, who lacks power and ballast as a blocker but brings quick feet and good hand work to a position of need. Rosengarten has the traits to play at either left or right tackle. Penn State's Adisa Isaac gives the Ravens another disruptive pass rusher to add to the rotation, and North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker is a field stretcher who could work his way onto the field as a big-play threat. Baltimore got excellent value with their selection of corner T.J. Tampa late in the fourth round. He was my 83rd ranked player overall, and combines excellent length with playmaking instincts. He adds to the Ravens' depth to that position and could emerge as a future starter. All in all, an unflashy but solid haul for the Ravens.

USA Today - Grade: B

When you're drafting at the end of every round, maybe you reach just a little in spots. Yet it seems like they did a good job — per usual — marrying value, talent and need. First-round CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson) is a supreme athlete, and his tackling will improve — because the Ravens will demand that. Second-rounder Roger Rosengarten (Washington) should be the new right tackle, while third round OLB Adisa Isaac (Penn State) could be a factor on passing downs straight away. And the value picks kicked in on Day 3 with deep threat WR Devontez Walker (North Carolina) and CB T.J. Tampa (Iowa State), who could give Wiggins a battle to get on the field first.

Fox Sports - Grade: B

To be fair, the Ravens' patience doesn't always pay off — but damn if it isn't impressive anyway. Given their holes on the offensive line, it was interesting when they opted for cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round. Not to worry; they hung out at the back of the second round and got a starter-caliber tackle in Roger Rosengarten, anyway. Adding deep threat receiver Devontez Walker in the fourth round feels like a sneaky good value, too — which would be a fun development for Lamar Jackson. It's worth noting that Baltimore has yet to find a star edge rusher, but those guys are tough to find when you're consistently picking late. —David Helman

CBS Sports - Grade: B

Best Pick: Fourth-round corner T.J. Tampa will prove to be really good pick. He can play the corner, but I also think he can move inside to safety. Versatility is huge in the Ravens defense.

Worst Pick: Fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker can run, but he is inconsistent. If he can be more consistent and catch the ball better, he will be a steal. For now, it's risky.

The Skinny: The Ravens and general manager Eric DeCosta are usually among the best in the league when it comes to drafting. This was a solid draft as usual, filling a bunch of needs. First-round corner Nate Wiggins should be a long-term starter. He can cover, but needs to work on tackling.

Sporting News - Grade: A

Analysis: The Ravens once again locked into their key positions of need under Eric DeCosta and practiced patience in letting values drop to them. Wiggins and Tampa have a chance to be a special starting cornerback duo in time. Issac is their style of edge rusher, while Walker provides a key missing element at receiver to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore doesn't make bad picks in relation to having the right talent available. Ali added needed backfield depth behind Derrick Henry, and Leary is a good developmental athlete.

SI - Grade: A-

Analysis: Baltimore used the first round to reinforce its secondary, nabbing Wiggins as a tough, undersized corner at 173 pounds. In the second round, general manager Eric DeCosta replaced departed right tackle Morgan Moses with Rosengarten, then found a productive edge in Isaac to round out the first two nights.

Touchdown Wire - Grade: A

The Ravens are more consistent in the draft than most teams because they have a type, and they stick with it. They want guys who hit the field with aggressiveness and technical refinement, and it's hard to argue with the approach. Wiggins is one of the stickiest and most aggressive pass defenders in this class. Rosengarten may have slipped in the minds of some because he's a right tackle, but remember that Michael Penix Jr. is a lefty, so Rosengarten protected the blind side of a quarterback who attempted 117 passes of 20 or more air yards last season, by far the most in the NCAA. And as much as Chop Robinson shows freaky athletic potential, I preferred Adisa Issac among the Penn State edge-defenders, because Isaac can do more from more gaps.

The Ravens absolutely stole T.J. Tampa in the fourth round (how did the Buccaneers not take this guy?), and in terms of locking receivers down, that might be the sleeper pick. Tampa allowed an opponent passer rating of 54.8 last season.

So, the Ravens didn't get weird, they took their kinds of guys, and it all looks great. What else would you ever expect?

More: 2024 NFL Draft Grade Roundups

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, we will update our Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Atlanta Falcons from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Falcons:

The Draft Network - Ryan Fowler (1/14)

8. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

My EDGE1 in the class, Laiatu Latu won't blow you away with his athletic profile or 40 time, but his hands, strength, and unbelievably deep pass-rush repertoire is beyond his years. I expect him to dominate one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl and boost his stock into the top 10.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Eddie Brown (1/12)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Could Belichick end up coaching the Falcons next season? If so, he'd likely pester GM Terry Fontenot to target Turner in the draft. Turner was overshadowed by Will Anderson Jr. his previous two seasons at Tuscaloosa — he had 8.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2021 — but he's capable of being a star in his own right. This season, the AP All-American added some bulk to his frame and displayed more power to go with his already impressive speed-rush capabilities.

The 33rd Team - Marcus Mosher (1/12)

8. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Ideally, the Atlanta Falcons would love to move up and get one of the top three quarterbacks in this class. But in this mock, they stay at No. 8 and select the top cornerback: Nate Wiggins.

A.J. Terrell had another strong season in Atlanta, but the Falcons need a better option opposite him. Pairing him with another Clemson Tiger in Wiggins makes too much sense.

NBC Sports - Connor Rogers (1/11)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The first defensive player to come off the board, Turner is as athletic as they come in the front seven. In 2022, so much of his game was built around speed, but the strength strides he made in 2023 have turned him into a top 12 prospect.

He'll play his entire rookie season as a 21-year-old, with a massive pass rush ceiling in front of him.

ESPN - Jordan Reid (1/10)

8. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

It's no secret the Falcons need a quarterback. But Arthur Smith has been relieved of his coaching duties, and with pressure to win next season, I think Atlanta could go the veteran route under center. With that in mind, adding another pass-rusher makes sense, as the Falcons owned the worst pass rush win rate (30.9%) in the league. Latu has an impressive arsenal of pass-rush moves and has improved as a run defender. He was second in the FBS in pressure rate (20.1%) this season and recorded 23.5 sacks since joining UCLA in 2022.

Medical issues are the biggest question mark here. Latu was forced to sit out two seasons because of a 2020 neck injury while still at Washington. But with a clean bill of health, he would be a no-brainer top-10 pick.

The Athletic - Nick Baumgardner (1/10)

TRADE - 1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Proposed trade: Atlanta receives No. 1; Chicago receives Nos. 8 and 43 plus a future first-round pick and a future second-round pick

Chicago hasn't made a decision yet on Justin Fields. If the Bears decide to move on, this pick will be for a quarterback.

At the same time, the Bears' trade last March with Carolina again puts general manager Ryan Poles in a situation in which he can unload No. 1 for a haul, further build around (or kick the can on) Fields and really charge up an already impressive young roster.

Of all the QB-needy teams, Atlanta's roster is the most ready to win. Now, add a new coach and a new face of the franchise. Williams next to running back Bijan Robinson, in an offense with tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, might sell a ticket or two.

USA Today - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (1/9)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The quarterback question is going to hang over the franchise all offseason after Arthur Smith's firing, but there doesn't seem to be a suitable solution here for an otherwise playoff-ready roster. Still, there should be no problem with picking up Turner, a dynamic and explosive edge threat who would recalibrate a lackluster pass rush.

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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