Nate Wiggins Named Leading Year 2 Breakout Candidate
While the focus this week is on the new draft classes, NFL.com analyst and former personnel executive Marc Ross identified 10 players from last year's class who are poised for a Year 2 breakout.
Cornerback and former first-round pick Nate Wiggins was among them.
"After beginning his career with limited reps in the Ravens defense, Wiggins quickly became a reliable cornerback for Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr," Ross wrote. "Wiggins held his own on the island and made a ton of plays for arguably the NFL's best defense down the stretch in 2024, posting 33 tackles, 13 passes defensed, one forced fumble and a pick-six (against the rival Browns in the regular-season finale).
"I don't necessarily think the rookie got the credit he deserved last season, and it makes sense considering the players around him in Baltimore's secondary, including perennial Pro Bowlers Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. It won't be long until Wiggins stands alongside them thanks to his immense talent."
Wiggins became a full-time starter by season's end and projects to be an every-down cornerback in his second year.
Orr shares Ross' opinion, telling "The Lounge" podcast this offseason that he expects Wiggins to take a big jump in Year 2 and be "one of the best corners in the National Football League."
Why Ravens Are Biggest Threat to Chiefs in AFC
With five Super Bowl appearances in the past six seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs are the undisputed standard-bearer in the AFC.
The Ravens and Buffalo Bills are regarded as the top two challengers to the Chiefs in the conference, but which of them poses the biggest threat?
The “Good Morning Football” crew debated the topic. Kyle Brandt gave the nod to the Bills, while Isaiah Stanback and Isaac Rochelle made the case for the Ravens. Stanback said Lamar Jackson hasn't played his best football in the playoffs, but he believes it's just a matter of time.
"Whenever that switch does come on, it's going to be a complete problem," Stanback said. "We haven't seen the best version of Lamar Jackson when the playoffs show up, but yet they're still really competitive and they still get just right there. When his game comes over that hump, he's going to be absolutely unstoppable.
"Last year was a preview of what's to come, because that was their first year having Derrick Henry in the backfield, first time having an idea of what that tandem looks like. Now they add more weapons on the outside, these guys have a familiarity with each other, and now I think they can be in a position where they take that next step."
Rochelle said that in addition to an explosive offense, the Ravens also have a championship caliber defense led by Hamilton.
"When I think about this defense and I think about Kyle Hamilton and guys like that, I think these are also guys that are going to make a huge impact," Rochelle said. "I know Kyle Hamilton. I texted him last night and said, 'I'm going to be on TV. Give me something about the Ravens,' and this is what he said: 'We are more focused on what we can do to be the best team we can be on Sundays, not about the opponent.' I think that's a team that's really focused on doing what they need to do. I think they're in a really good place."
Statistics Show Jackson Is Elite in Clutch
Remember the false narrative that Jackson couldn't lead the Ravens to victory when they were trailing late in the game?
A study by Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp shows what anyone who watches the Ravens already knows: the two-time MVP is elite in crunch time.
Jackson is No. 3 on Sharp's list of clutch quarterbacks based on EPA per dropback when trailing in the last five minutes since 2020.
"Jackson has thrived in late-game situations using both his legs and arm to erase deficits and lead Baltimore to comeback wins in dramatic fashion," Sharp said.
Only the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Bills' Josh Allen are ranked ahead of Jackson. Tom Brady (No. 4) and Patrick Mahomes (No. 5) are directly behind him.
Pundits Expect Big Things From Mike Green This Season
Pundits continue to rave about the Ravens' selection of edge rusher Mike Green in the second round.
"When I was at the Senior Bowl this year, he literally was No. 1 in every single defensive line drill," NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger said. "He started every drill. I don't care if it was one-on-ones, if it was individual drills. He just wanted to assert himself as a leader. I think Chuck Smith, the pass-rushing coach, will see that and identify that, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't get on the field right away and make a contribution."
Ross also expects Green to make an immediate impact.
"At this point, he might be the best pass rusher on the team," Ross said. "Mike Green might lead the team in sacks this year."
Ravens' Rookie Class Ranked in Top 5 Based on College Production
When General Manager Eric DeCosta was asked during the pre-draft press conference how much value he puts on prospects who have traits versus those who have production, he said he takes everything into account, but he's "a big fan of production."
It showed in the Ravens' picks this year. Pro Football Focus ranked the rookie classes by college production, and Baltimore was No. 4.
"The Ravens have built a reputation as one of the league's sharpest drafting teams year in and year out, and their 2025 class looks like another strong effort," PFF's Andrew Ites wrote. "Headlined by safety Malaki Starks and edge rusher Mike Green, Baltimore's haul is filled with proven collegiate production. Starks capped off a stellar career at Georgia with a three-year PFF grade of 87.5 and was considered a steal at No. 27 overall. Green, meanwhile, was dominant off the edge at Marshall, earning a 93.6 grade over the past three seasons.
"Baltimore added four more players with three-year college grades of 80.0 or higher as they look to get over the hump and contend for a championship in 2025."
Those four players were fourth-round inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (90.6), sixth-round defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles (89.0), sixth-round wide receiver LaJohntay Webster (82.0), and sixth-round cornerback Bilhal Kone (80.0).
Steelers Trading George Pickens to Cowboys
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for draft picks. Pickens led the Steelers in receiving the past two seasons.
Pittsburgh acquired two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver D.K. Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, which sparked speculation that they might move Pickens.
Pickens, a 2022 second-round pick, had his best season in 2023, when he caught 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: ESPN Analysts Name Malaki Starks Their Favorite Pick in Entire Draft
- The Ravens are No. 5 in ESPN’s post-draft power rankings.
