The Baltimore Ravens are hoping the 2025 campaign is their year. Several promising seasons during the Lamar Jackson era have come to a screeching halt in the postseason, but after a busy offseason, the Ravens are in a prime position to go on another deep playoff run in the AFC.
Several positions on the roster have undergone some work over the past few months, with one of them being the cornerback spot. Brandon Stephens left for the New York Jets, while the team signed former All-Pro Jaire Alexander after he was released by the Green Bay Packers. And yet, the most important player in this room may just be second-year player Nate Wiggins.
Nate Wiggins Set for Bigger Role with Ravens in 2025
The Ravens selected Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he ended up quickly taking on a big role in their defense as a rookie. Wiggins played in 15 games for Baltimore, six of which were starts, and racked up 33 tackles, one interception (which he returned for a touchdown), 13 pass deflections, and one fumble forced.
As the season went on, Wiggins’ role grew, but the Ravens’ coaching staff never truly leaned on him as a starter throughout the year. Having veterans like Stephens, Marlon Humphrey, and Tre’Davious White protected Wiggins in a sense, but as the season went on, it became clear that he deserved to be playing over at least Stephens and White.
Both guys are gone now, though, opening the door for Wiggins to start alongside Humphrey and Alexander in 2025. How Wiggins fares will end up playing a big role in how Baltimore’s defense fares, but he looked strong during his time on the field in 2024. In fact, Ben Solak of ESPN went as far as to label Wiggins one of the most important second-year defenders in the league, comparing him to New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
“Elite talent will win out every time,” Solak wrote about Wiggins. “Guys as long as Wiggins don’t change direction as fluidly as he does. The way the natural talent oozes off his rookie film reminds me of how I felt watching Sauce Gardner as a rookie. The ceiling is that high.”
Can Nate Wiggins Help Ravens Win it all in 2025?
GettyThe best breakout candidate for the Baltimore Ravens has made one big change before the 2025 NFL season.
While Wiggins is set for a bigger role in 2025, he still has a pair of savvy veterans in Humphrey and Alexander working alongside him. Plus, Kyle Hamilton is one of the best all-around safeties in the game behind him, and rookie Malaki Starks seems set to earn a starting gig alongside Hamilton at the back of the secondary.
If Wiggins can hold up in one-on-one coverage on the outside, Baltimore’s defense is going to be lethal this upcoming season. The early returns in 2024 were encouraging, but the spotlight is going to be much brighter for Wiggins in his sophomore campaign. If he can put all the pieces of the puzzle together, he could end up becoming one of the breakout stars of the season for the Ravens.
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