The Baltimore Ravens declined eight trade offers during the first round of the NFL Draft, as reported by various sources.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, known for his willingness to trade for additional draft picks, opted to stay put at the 30th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and chose former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley disclosed that DeCosta declined multiple trade offers to secure Wiggins, highlighting the Ravens’ strong interest in the player by rejecting eight trade proposals from other teams seeking to trade up.
The specifics of the trade offers made by other teams remain undisclosed, but DeCosta’s decision not to engage in any trades speaks volumes about Baltimore’s high regard for Nate Wiggins.DeCosta emphasized their unwavering commitment to selecting Wiggins if he was available, citing him as a potential elite shutdown cornerback.
The Ravens were pleasantly surprised by Wiggins’ availability, given his impressive stats at Clemson over the past two seasons, including 58 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and 17 passes defended.While Wiggins’ size at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds raises concerns about his ability to defend larger receivers in the physical AFC North, defensive coordinator Zach Orr remains confident in Wiggins’ capabilities.
Had the Baltimore organization shared any reservations about Wiggins, they would have probably accepted one of the eight trade proposals, which they did not. Furthermore, the Ravens faced a necessity to bolster their cornerback group following injuries to key players in their secondary last season.
Wiggins is expected to offer valuable depth at the very least, with a strong possibility of earning a starting role by Week 1. This move positions the Ravens to maintain their status as one of the top defensive teams in the league.
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