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New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ravens CB Nate Wiggins had a strong rookie season. Now, he's learning to be a pro
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens secondary coach Chuck Pagano didn't wait for the play to officially end. As cornerback Nate Wiggins headed upfield, setting up his blocks along the way, following an interception of an overthrown pass during Friday's organized team activity, Pagano broke out the celebratory dance moves on the sideline. Advertisement The 64-year-old coach shuffled up and down and waved his right arm in the air as if he were riding an imaginary horse. It doesn't take much to get Pagano going, but the sight of Wiggins securing the football and using his speed to race toward the end zone was enough to get anybody associated with the Ravens excited. Wiggins, a first-round pick in 2024, had a strong rookie season. He played in all but two games, broke up 13 passes and held quarterbacks to a 66.7 passer rating when they targeted him. Wiggins allowed just 31 receptions on 62 targets, forced a key fumble in Dallas and had a pick six in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Yet, it was hard for Ravens coaches this offseason not to think about how much better Wiggins could get when he became a little stronger and had a better grasp of the fundamentals of the cornerback position and how offenses were attacking him. 'Last year, he was just running like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to figure out what to do,' Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said last week. 'Now, he understands the system. He understands the defense. He's been in the league for a year, so he understands formations from offenses. Now, he can really just hone in on his technique. Man, that guy right there, he takes his technique to another level on a consistent basis. The sky's the limit for him.' Wiggins, who had an interception and a pass breakup in the Ravens' last OTA on Friday, is off to a solid start this offseason. He's added 10 pounds after prioritizing getting bigger and stronger. Possessing a better understanding of the position, he's playing with more decisiveness and confidence. And he no longer has to wonder about his role on a week-to-week basis. The Ravens, influenced partly by health issues for Wiggins in the first half of the season, somewhat eased the rookie in. He played more than 75 percent of the team's defensive snaps just twice over Baltimore's first 10 games. But those days are over. He'll enter the 2025 season as a starting outside corner and one of the Ravens' core defenders. He says he's ready for that. Advertisement 'Last season, I didn't feel like I was really a pro yet,' Wiggins said Friday. 'Now, I'm knowing how to be a pro. I feel like now it's going to pay off.' The Ravens lost some key pieces from last year's defense, which started agonizingly slow but turned things around and was playing at a high level by season's end. Nose tackle Michael Pierce retired. Starting cornerback Brandon Stephens departed to the New York Jets in free agency. Malik Harrison and Chris Board, part of the linebacker rotation, signed elsewhere. Baltimore's cornerback depth thinned out with veterans Tre'Davious White and Arthur Maulet not returning. Safety Ar'Darius Washington, whose ascension into the starting lineup was a catalyst for the defensive turnaround, tore his Achilles during a May workout and will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta's two most prominent veteran defensive additions were Chidobe Awuzie, who will likely compete for the No. 3 or 4 cornerback role, and John Jenkins, a rotational defensive lineman. If the Ravens are going to build off of where last year's defense finished, they'll be relying heavily on the development of their young players, and that includes members of the team's rookie class. That means third-year pro Trenton Simpson, who is poised to reclaim his starting inside linebacker spot alongside Roquan Smith; first-round safety Malaki Starks, who will almost certainly be a day one starter; and young edge rushers Mike Green and Adisa Isaac, Day 2 selections over the past two drafts who will be counted on to add some pass-rushing juice. That also means Wiggins, who team officials believe has star potential if he stays healthy and learns the nuances of the cornerback position. More takeaways, like the one in Friday's practice, would help, too. A recent guest on 'The Lounge' podcast, Wiggins told the team website that one of his goals is to create 10-plus turnovers (interceptions or forced fumbles) in 2025. He had two last year. Advertisement 'I expect him to be locked in and focused on the little things,' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Friday. 'Raindrops make oceans, man. Lock in on every little detail to be great, and that's what he's focusing on.' When Wiggins entered the league after a strong final season at Clemson, there was little doubt that he could run with NFL receivers. He clocked a blistering 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Only Kansas City Chiefs first-round wide receiver Xavier Worthy (4.21) beat that time. The concerns were over whether Wiggins, who weighed just 173 pounds at the combine, would hold up physically, particularly against bigger receivers, and also against running backs had he needed to make a tackle on the outside. Wiggins held his own physically as a rookie, but he acknowledged that he didn't feel like he was able to protect himself as well as needed. That, in his mind, led to some of the physical issues that he played through for much of last year. 'Injury wasn't my big thing last year, (but) just hitting the ground,' Wiggins said. 'With my shoulders hitting the ground, the body couldn't absorb the contact. So it was really just getting my body (ready to) take the contact.' Wiggins said he has a really fast metabolism and has always struggled to put on weight. He loaded up on steak, mashed potatoes and proteins this offseason to add 10 pounds and get up to 185. It's a start for a player whose speed remains his biggest attribute. Now, the Ravens would like to see Wiggins utilize his increased strength. 'I thought Nate did a great job going to work this offseason, putting weight on,' Orr said. 'That's a testament to him and the strength coaches coming up with a great plan. Obviously, he followed it. The weight is real, so that's good to see, but what I see him focusing on now, he's more locked in on his fundamentals and technique on a more consistent basis.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens DC Zach Orr offers A1 critique of their new safety tandem
Ravens DC Zach Orr offers A1 critique of their new safety tandem Zach Orr sees something special brewing in the Ravens starting safety tandem. Pay close attention to the backend of the Baltimore Ravens' defense as mandatory minicamp and training camp ensue. How's that for stating the obvious, right? Several OTA practices have already given us so much to talk about. Rashod Bateman is set to enter another tax bracket after signing an extension. Ar'Darius Washington is in a contract season, but he is unfortunately injured. That has seemingly opened the door for the nearly-forgotten Jalyn Armour-Davis, who has since gotten some snaps and worked at the safety position. For the Ravens to take another step in the right direction and get back to the AFC Championship Game, the backend of their defense will need to take a few steps of their own. We know there isn't much to worry about with Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton. The latter has missed a few OTA sessions, but there's a lot of optimism in the tandem he will form with a newly-acquired and highly-touted rookie. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has a ton of faith in his starting safety duo. The first three seasons of Kyle Hamilton's career were good enough to inspire the potential envy of NFL stars who are five years his senior. He earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team in 2022. He has only gotten better since then. A member of the past two Pro Bowl rosters, he earned a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2023 before being named a Second-Teamer in 2024. One star alone, however, does not an elite safety tandem make, so Baltimore found an answer and an upgrade during the first round of this past April's draft in Malaki Starks. Saying defense coordinator Zach Orr is excited would be a massive understatement. This past week, he expressed his expectation for Hamilton and Starks as a duo. The NFL is a long way from college football in terms of level of competition, but Starks looks like a sure thing. Baltimore is hoping his skill set translates to the highest level of football. During his time in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs, he was named a Freshman All-American and became a College Football Playoff National Champion. He was a Consensus All-American in 2023, a First-team All-American in 2024, and has two First-Team All-SEC (2023, 2024) to show for his trouble. He's used to playing in big games. He's certain to play in several this season, and fortunately for him, though the pressure to perform will come quickly, he doesn't have to do everything on his own.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens begin Phase 2 of offseason workout program: Here's what you need to know
Ravens begin Phase 2 of offseason workout program: Here's what you need to know The Ravens have entered Phase 2 of the offseason program, which allows more on-field work during the three weeks before OTAs The Baltimore Ravens started their offseason workout program just before the 2025 NFL Draft, welcoming players back into the building for meetings, lifting sessions, and more. The training programs are divided into three phases: one mandatory minicamp for the entire roster and one rookie minicamp for each group. The Super Bowl hopefuls have entered Phase 2 of the offseason program, which allows more on-field work. Phase 2 is three weeks long and remains voluntary, with slightly reduced limitations on what teams can do on the field. Here's how the NFL describes Phase 2 of the offseason program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as "perfect play drills," and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted. Baltimore can now hit the practice fields at the Under Armour Performance Center, where some on-field instruction from Todd Monken (OC) and Zach Orr (DC), can be implemented at a walkthrough pace. The Ravens won't be able to run team drills until OTAs begin in Phase 3, which will start three weeks from now on May 27. Below is the schedule for Baltimore's offseason program once OTAs begin. OTA Offseason Workouts: May 27-29, June 3, June 5-6, June 9-12 Mandatory Minicamp: June 17-19.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens biggest winners and losers from the 2025 NFL Draft
Ravens biggest winners and losers from the 2025 NFL Draft Kyle Hamilton and Zach Orr are among the biggest winners for Baltimore after the Ravens selected 11 impact players in the 2025 NFL draft The Ravens added 11 new players during the NFL draft weekend, and they'll hit the practice field immediately after the NFL and the team announce the dates for their rookie minicamp. Twenty-six other teams will begin next week, with Baltimore taking the field on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Baltimore made a couple of trades over the weekend, choosing to trade back each time, but still making 11 picks. Every NFL draft impacts players and coaches on the staff, and we're looking at the Ravens' biggest winners and losers from the draft haul. Winner-DC Zach Orr Baltimore added Malaki Starks, Mike Green, Teddye Buchanan, Bilhal Kone, Aeneas Peebles, and Robert Longerbeam to the roster, giving defensive coordinator Zach Orr a starting safety, a lethal edge rusher, a starting inside linebacker candidate, two cornerbacks and a defensive lineman to a defense that was shredded early on last season. Winner - Kyle Hamilton The Ravens' safety has been an All-Pro and was highly efficient in 2024 without a formidable running mate. Malaki Starks is Kyle Hamilton 2.0, and the Georgia safety will allow the Ravens star to be his actual Swiss army knife. Loser --David Ojabo Odafe Oweh is likely safe after having his fifth-year option exercised, but the addition of Mike Green makes life difficult for David Ojabo and Malik Hamm. Winner -Andrew Vorhees The former USC star has a clear path back to the starting left guard spot, and the news improved after John Harbaugh confirmed that Emery Jones would work as a swing tackle to begin his NFL career. Loser -Jalyn Armour-Davis Prior to the NFL draft and free agency, Baltimore had four cornerbacks on the roster. Since then, the Ravens have added Chidobe Awuzie, Bilal Kone (rookie), and Robert Longerbeam (rookie). T.J. Tampa is in a similar boat after missing most of his rookie season to various injuries. Armour-Davis will enter year four needing a strong training camp. Mark Andrews The star tight end had his fourth-year option bonus exercised, and then the Ravens didn't draft a tight end with any of their 11 picks.
USA Today
12-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame CB named the best Day 2 fit for Ravens
Notre Dame CB named the best Day 2 fit for Ravens Baltimore has holes on defense and PFF believes a former Notre Dame coverguy could be the best day two fit for the Ravens in the 2025 NFL draft The Baltimore Ravens drafted a safety out of Notre Dame three years ago, and he's transformed the NFL with his versatility and dynamic play-making. Zach Orr's defense has a hole on the backend, and PFF believes a current Fighting Irish defender could give Baltimore more versatility and athleticism. Prospect to target: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame With just five cornerbacks on their roster as it's currently constructed, the Ravens could make excellent use of Morrison's skill set as a long, smooth-moving man cornerback. Baltimore ran a top-10 rate of Cover 1 in 2024, making Morrison a natural fit after Notre Dame ran the most Cover 1 in the FBS last season. Morrison's final season in South Bend was cut short due to a hip injury. In six games, Morrison recorded 20 tackles and four pass deflections. His hip injury comes after having shoulder surgery leading up to the 2024 campaign. Baltimore has Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey as starters, while T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and Chidobe Awuzie will vie for a starting spot.
