Tag: nate wiggins draft

2024 NFL Draft: Clemson CB Nate Wiggins scouting report

If your NFL team is looking for a plug-and-play starter at outside cornerback, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins should be high on the list.

The 2024 scouting combine is right around the corner, which means that it’s time to take a more critical and detailed look at this year’s draft prospects. With that in mind, we here at Touchdown Wire are doing as many thumbnail scouting reports as possible before the combine gets going on February 29. We will of course be doing more comprehensive reports before the draft, but here’s a good starting point.

Next man up is Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, who played as well as anybody at his position in this draft class through the 2023 season. In his second year as a starter for the Tigers, Wiggins allowed 18 receptions on 41 targets for 176 yards, 38 yards after the catch, one touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 44.4.

PLUSES

— Ideal potential match cornerback because he played a ton of off in Clemson’s scheme, but will clamp well at the route stem.

— Smooth transitions through the routes allow him to also be a very good press defender.

— Has the recovery speed to make up for any delays upfield.

— Works well in space to stay with his landmarks; he’s good with option routes and scramble drills.

— Times his closure in on underneath stuff; allowed just 38 yards after the catch on 18 receptions allowed

MINUSES

— Could stand to be a a bit quicker and less deliberate out of his stance and into the route.

— Needs to work on route combos at the next level; he’ll get lost between routes at times.

— Occasional lateness to close on crossers is odd, because he clearly has the speed to do it.

— Most cornerbacks at his height (6-foot-2) can get out of sorts on quicker angular routes and he does at times.

Overall, Wiggins has the tools to play in any scheme as an outside cornerback with slot value. Set it and forget it.