CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 16: Nate Wiggins #2 of the Clemson Tigers stands on the field against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Lockdown Corner Nate Wiggins

March 4, 2024 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins has made a believer out of me. After watching 12 games throughout two seasons, yeah, I’m in.

Wiggins recorded a blistering 4.29 (40-yard-dash) at the NFL Scouting Combine, that even caught the attention of Robert Griffin III (former NFL QB and current ESPN Analyst).

Nate Wiggins was STEPPING on this 4.29 seconds 40 yard dash. Best thing about it is he plays at that speed on tape as well. Phenomenal cover guy, with elite make up speed and route recognition. pic.twitter.com/tgTvUTOWJp
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 1, 2024

Yes, Wiggins did injure himself running (March 1), but it was deemed to be a ‘hip flexor strain,’ and not a groin injury in a Tweet sent out on X by Marc Whiteman (@MarcWYFFNews4).

GREAT news from @StaceyDales just now on @ClemsonFB Nate Wiggins

Not a groin injury, but rather a hip flexor 'strain.' Wiggins anticipates being ready in time for Clemson's Pro Day pic.twitter.com/XCGKCCEamy
— Marc Whiteman (@MarcWYFFNews4) March 1, 2024

What has me so excited about Wiggins?

He shows all the traits you look for in a top-shelf NFL cornerback. Wiggins looks soooooooo smooth moving around out there. He makes it look easy.

Fluid
Agile
Nimble
Instinctual
Aggressive
Physical Edge
Fast straight-line speed
Short-area burst
Excellent long-range and recovery speed

Playmaker

That’s the word every NFL team wants to hear when talking about cornerbacks. In this pass-happy league where all 32 teams throw the ball more than 50% of the time, it’s about passing the ball and stopping the pass.

In the past two seasons, Wiggins has logged 17 PBUs (pass breakups) and three interceptions.

Why not more?

Teams don’t seem to throw at him all that often.

Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), in 2023, he was targeted 41 times and surrendered 18 receptions. In 2022, he was targeted 61 times and gave up 31 catches. However, in 2023, his efforts amounted to him giving up 176 yards and one touchdown. In 2022, he gave up 385 yards and two touchdowns.

1+2=3 touchdowns surrendered in two seasons (23 games played).

His PFF passer rating dropped from 74.8% in 2022 down to 44.4 in 2023.

🔒 LOCKDOWN CORNER

The play that sold me on Wiggins

WANT.

This is a word that means oh so much to an NFL team.

It’s the trait that separates mediocre from stardom at the next level ⎯the element every team should be looking to add to their locker room chemistry. It’s the thing that moves the meter.

Wiggins wants it.

Even on the rare occasion, he gets beat in press-man coverage (lined up tight to the wide receiver pre-snap and assigned to cover him one-on-one), it’s by a step. The rest of the time Wiggins is like a blanket for these receivers on a cold winter night.

Wiggins’ want shows up time after time on his film and this is the play that solidified Wiggins’ spot on my draft board.

I haven’t seen anything like this since Darrell Green caught Eric Dickerson from behind in the 1986 Wildcard Game —Clemson corner #2 Nate Wiggins showing off his elite speed (and want) against Miami in 2023. pic.twitter.com/zxjYoMlUvl
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) March 4, 2024

Two first-round seasons

In this draft cycle, I am doing things differently than I’ve done them in the past since jumping back into the evaluation game with both feet starting in 2021. I am studying game film from two seasons instead of just the season before the draft.

Why?

To get a broader big-picture perspective of the prospects’ fuller body of work and to build in another safeguard in my grading process.

The thing about Wiggins ⎯2023 was the second straight season I gave him the same grade.

That tells me everything I need to know.

#2 Nate Wiggins 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 77.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 4, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Clemson’s Nate Wiggins Produces First Round 2022 Game Film (7 games evaluated ⎯jersey No. 20 in 2022)

2023 game film reviewed: NC State, FSU, Miami, North Carolina, and Notre Dame (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 stats: 28 tackles (22 solo), 6 assists, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Competitive confrontational corner with long arms. Aggressive demeanor and physical edge. Shows emotion. Athletic slender frame. Long arms. Quiet feet. Occasionally in off-man and zone and can close right after the ball arrives and secure tackles. Often in press man. Loves it. Mirrors. Easy peddle and transition. Understands the art of leverage. Flies in and closes hard. Good anticipation and timing. Likes to bait quarterbacks. Able to break on and defend slants. Does a nice job staying in phase intermediate to deep. Tends not to look back for the ball deep. Overall, he tends to win due to well-timed physicality. Exciting to watch. True No. 1 corner.

Final words

Send the card in.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.