The Baltimore Ravens have been a mess defensively, but Nate Wiggins didn’t sit still and simply accept the status quo. Instead, the second-year cornerback went to key coaches and asked for a change, one that demanded the Ravens trusted him to shadow a six-time Pro Bowler.
That change was revealed by experienced secondary boss Chuck Pagano after the Ravens were beaten 17-3 by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6. Pagano revealed Wiggins “came to the coaches last week and asked to travel with Davante Adams,” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Not many corners want to be trapped on an island with three-time All-Pro and five-time 1,000-yard receiver Adams. Yet, the Ravens used a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select Wiggins to be a shutdown cover man with the bravado to relish the toughest matchups in the pros.
Fortunately, Wiggins lived up to the billing with a performance against Adams that was key to the Ravens finally showing some life defensively. Another important change in the secondary also worked well for a beleaguered unit and under-fire coordinator Zach Orr.
Nate Wiggins Made Change Count for Ravens
The Ravens have been waiting on last year’s 30th-overall pick to take the initiative, and Wiggins began the process by making a big change in the offseason. Having his role expanded to trail an opponents’ best receiver outside the numbers is the next step, and Wiggins is off to a great start, based on how he handled Adams.
Wiggins “shadowed Davante Adams on every one of his 27 routes on the day. Adams caught just 1 of 4 targets against Wiggins in coverage for 8 yards,” according to Next Gen Stats.
Those are creditable numbers against one of the best technicians of his era. The stats are further proof Wiggins can play one-on-one and take away a side of the field.
It’s an asset to any defense, but particularly for one beaten up as badly as the Ravens have been this season, ranking last in points and 30th in yards, per Pro Football Reference. Orr has taken the brunt of the blame, but 65-year-old Pagano’s savvy can still make a difference on the back end.
Particularly with another change Pagano talked up after the tough loss to the Rams.
Ravens Made Another Change for Star Defensive Back
Wiggins wasn’t the only defensive back who enjoyed a change in role last time out. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton also made a greater impact closer to the line of scrimmage.
He wasn’t playing as a box safety, nor as a hybrid linebacker, but Hamilton gave the Rams problems as a nickelback. As Pagano explained, “moving Kyle Hamilton to the nickel creates ‘a little bit different picture for the offense. They have to know exactly where he’s at. It felt different,’” per Zrebiec.
There are echoes of last season about the Ravens changing Hamilton’s remit. The 2024 defense was inspired to enjoy a mid-season turnaround after ageing consultant Dean Pees moved Hamilton to a deeper position along the last line of coverage.
That change is one reason some believe the Ravens need to bring Pees back to help Orr. Improving the knowledge and imagination among their defensive coaches is a sound strategy, but the Ravens can still improve things by putting key personnel into better positions to succeed.
It’s already working with Hamilton and Wiggins, but Pagano can make more adjustments to build on the signs of life Orr’s defense showed before the bye week.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Nate Wiggins Asked Ravens Defensive Coaches for Key Change appeared first on Heavy Sports.