Quarterbacks who challenge Nate Wiggins risk playing into his hands.
The latest example came against the Chicago Bears, when Wiggins' second interception of the season helped seal the Ravens' 30-16 victory and snap a four-game losing skid. In the fourth quarter, with Baltimore holding a three-point lead, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams saw wide receiver Rome Odunze open on a crossing route. At least Williams thought Odunze was open.
Williams tried to rifle the ball to Odunze before Wiggins could close the gap. Bad decision, great play by Wiggins. The second-year cornerback cut in front of Odunze faster than an aggressive driver in rush hour traffic and took the football the other way.
The turnover set up Tyler Huntley's touchdown pass to Charlie Kolar, which gave the Ravens more breathing room in a victory they needed badly. It was another example of Wiggins' growth since last season, when he had a strong rookie year, but felt he was just scratching the surface of his potential.
Now Wiggins is putting it all together. Heading into Thursday night's game against the Miami Dolphins, he has emerged as one of the NFL's top cover corners.
"He's a student of the game, he works really hard at it," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "To see it pay off in a big play in a critical moment, that's what guys dream about. That's what coaches dream about."
Wiggins is handling more responsibility with stellar play. Before facing the Rams in Week 6, he asked the coaching staff for the green light to shadow wide receiver Davante Adams, a likely future Hall of Famer. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Wiggins held Adams to just one catch for eight yards on four targets. Overall, Adams had four catches for 39 yards, his lowest single-game production of the season. The following week versus the Jaguars, Adams caught three touchdowns.
Against the Bears, Wiggins was targeted a team-high nine times and gave up four catches for 51 yards to Odunze, Chicago's No. 1 receiver. When you defend the opponent's top target every week, you're going to lose some on some plays, but Wiggins has the toughness to handle that. He's good, he knows it, and breaking his confidence is harder than getting open on him.
"First half, yes, they were throwing at me. I mean, they get paid too, so he's going to get his," Wiggins said following the Bears game. "But I didn't doubt myself.
"I feel like I've grown over the last year, more mature. I'm at the top of my game right now. I feel like no receiver can match up with me, so why not put me on that guy?"
Wiggins' start to his sophomore season hasn't gone unnoticed by teammates.
"He's turned into CB1 before our eyes," outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. "He's really been playing at a high level all year. He should make the Pro Bowl and be in conversations for All-Pro for how well he's played."
With elite receivers like Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf, and Garrett Wilson on Baltimore's horizon, Wiggins figures to be a busy man. This Thursday night, he'll likely match up against the Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, who has posted 95 or more receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns in three of his past four games.
Wiggins up for that challenge. The first-round pick is blessed with athletic talent, and his recovery speed can erase some mistakes. Meanwhile, he has worked tirelessly on technique and film study, and Harbaugh said Wiggins is being rewarded for his professional approach.
"He's a joy to coach," Harbaugh said. "Everything you say to him, he's all ears. He wants to do the right thing. I joke with the DBs – they get more video texts from me than anybody. He's always right back with his thoughts on it. It's just fun because it does show up in the way he plays.
"He'd be the first to tell you – there were plenty of things in that game he can do better, and he wants to chase perfection."
It's often said that cornerbacks need to have a short memory, to forget when they're beaten by a receiver and move on to the next play. Wiggins is taking that approach during the short week leading up to the Dolphins game. Beating the Bears was important, but the Ravens (2-5) can't afford to let up. Wiggins is thinking about shutting down Miami and making more big plays to help Baltimore turn around its season.
"Obviously [beating the Bears] was good, but we're not too happy because we've got to keep on winning," Wiggins said. "We've got to put our heads down and just keep it up."
