Ravens defensive duo earns spotlight thanks to NFL evaluations
Two defensive backs, each with their unique qualities, contribute to the improved Baltimore Ravens defense. Both received First-Team All-ACC honors, although they did so in different seasons. As they head into the 2025-26 NFL season, they are part of a steadily enhancing defense.
Kyle Hamilton, a 2020 All-ACC nod, made a name for himself as part of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Nate Wiggins, a former Clemson Tigers standout, landed on the All-ACC team in 2023.
Baltimore selected Hamilton 14th overall during the 2022 NFL Draft. Wiggins, the 30th selection in 2024, joined the secondary as an expected shutdown corner.
Malaki Starks joins them. He's this year's 27th selection. Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey is also in the mix. Completing the expected starting lineup is the newly acquired Jaire Alexander. The hype train is building as many see Baltimore's secondary as the best in the NFL.
Wiggins is expected to make a big leap in year two after a respectable rookie campaign. That's been said more than once, most recently by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. He named Wiggins as the Ravens' breakout candidate for the coming NFL season.
Jeremy Fowler also had high praise for Wiggins in his recent rankings
"In 2023, he was the only safety with at least 10 tackles for loss and 10 pass deflections. He added three sacks and four interceptions, yet finished second behind Antoine Winfield Jr. in the top 10 ranking. This year, he was down significantly in each of those categories yet received more than 60% of the first-place votes.
The reason is simple: His value transcends numbers."
Fowler recently polled NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Based on his findings, he crafted a ranking of the top ten safeties.
Kyle Hamilton topped the list. An unnamed NFL executive offered the following:
"Great player, scheme specific. In his role, he's very good. He can't man cover and does not have elite range, that's why teams with quicker receivers can have success against him."
Hamilton is off to an electric start: A spot on the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team, two Pro Bowl nods, First-Team All-Pro honors in 2023, and a Second-Team mention in 2024.
Humphrey is already a Pro Bowler. Alexander was a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2022. Starks is solid. Wiggins is ready to take off. This Ravens secondary is going to be fun to watch moving forward.
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