Round 1, Pick 30: Ravens draft Clemson CB Nate Wiggins (2024)

NOTE: For updates from the second day of the NFL Draft, go here.

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft began with a quarterback and ended with a wide receiver. Fitting for a night that was all about the offenses.

With their first No. 1 pick in 77 years, the Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams, hoping to finally find their franchise QB. Williams set off a record run of six quarterbacks over the first 12 picks, including Jayden Daniels (Commanders, No. 2), Drake Maye (Patriots, No. 3), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons, No. 8), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings, No. 10) and Bo Nix (Broncos, No. 12).

A record 23 offensive players were taken over 32 picks, including seven wide receivers. The first defender did not come off the board until No. 25.

The full first-round results:

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
10. Minnesota Vikings (from N.Y. Jets): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
11. New York Jets (from Minnesota): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville): Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota through Cleveland and Houston): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
24. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, OL, Duke
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
32. Carolina Panthers (from Buffalo through Kansas City): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

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The Baltimore Ravens selected Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the 30th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Wiggins: A two-year starter at Clemson, Wiggins was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin’s scheme. An ascending player throughout his time with the Tigers, he combined for 25 passes defended in 23 games over the last two seasons and allowed just 43.9 percent completions when targeted in 2023. (Two of his three career interceptions came against Drake Maye).

Wiggins moves with quiet, controlled feet/hips to seamlessly transition out of breaks and accelerate to top gear (allowed only one catch of 20-plus yards on 41 targets in 2023). Though he needs to improve his consistency as a run defender, he shows tremendous effort in pursuit and had two chase-down forced fumbles that saved touchdowns in 2023 (Miami and North Carolina).

Overall, Wiggins’ slight frame and suspect play strength are legitimate concerns, but he is a fast and fluid athlete with the cover awareness and on-ball production to be a starting perimeter corner in the NFL. He projects as a longtime NFL starter with tools like those of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Dallas had a big hole at two spots — center and right tackle — and the Cowboys opted to fill the hole on the outside with Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton. It’s an upside move with Guyton, who could start at right tackle and perhaps flip to left tackle within time. Or, if he reaches his potential, he could form a solid tandem with Tyler Smith.

Still raw and developing, Guyton earned 15 career starts at TCU and Oklahoma before declaring for the draft. He started 13 games at right tackle and one at left tackle for the Sooners, while opening one game at tight end for TCU. Guyton (6-7 ½, 322) has the requisite body for an NFL tackle with 34 1/8-inch arms. It might take him some time, but his upside is immense,

Grade: B

With three picks to go in the first round, here are Dane Brugler's 10 best available players:

1. Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

2. Clemson CB Nate Wiggins

3. Iowa CB Cooper DeJean

4. Illinois DT Jer'Zhan Newton

5. Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

6. Georgia WR Ladd McConkey

7. Western Michigan edge Marshawn Kneeland

8. Texas WR Adonai Mitchell

9. West Virginia C Zach Frazier

10. Florida State WR Keon Coleman

The Dallas Cowboys selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton with the No. 29 pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Guyton: A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Guyton was the starting right tackle in former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s inside-zone, gap-focused scheme. A basketball-focused athlete much of his life, he moved to the offensive line while at TCU and later developed into a starter for the Sooners, protecting Dillon Gabriel’s blindside at right tackle.

A nimble big man, Guyton stays square to pass rushers with balanced lateral steps to easily redirect, and he does a great job working into open space with remarkable range (NFL scout: “The OU coaches just marvel at him. They call him different than everyone else they’ve had.”). He stays controlled with his punch to be a sticky blocker, although his accuracy and fit entry are underdeveloped, and his overall timing is not yet a strength to his game.

Overall, Guyton is a work in progress in several areas and a steep learning curve should be expected for his rookie season, but he has the athletic tools and fundamental skills to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. He has the talent to play left or right tackle, although his comfort level is clearly on the right side. As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he will continue on an upward trajectory.

Patrick Mahomes has yet to meet a player he can overthrow. We’ll see if Xavier Worthy gives him a run for his money. The Chiefs moved up from 32 to 28 to snag the fastest player in the draft in the form of the former Texas receiver. Worthy set the combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash earlier this spring and will enter Kansas City’s offense with electric speed from the get-go.

This feels like a very good fit for Kansas City’s offense and for Mahomes in general, as Worthy is very dynamic with the ball in his hands. However, he’s also very small at just 165 pounds. Whether or not he’ll be able to hold up with a high catch volume deep into a season is a fair question. He can be inconsistent with his hands and his play strength will limit some of what he can do a the next level. It’s fair to wonder if Worthy was a first-rounder in this draft, especially with some of the talent on the board. But also tough to hate the fit.

Grade: B

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 28 pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Worthy: A three-year starter at Texas, Worthy worked both inside and outside in head coach Steve Sarkisian’s spread, RPO offense (59.9 percent wide, 39.9 percent slot in 2023). An immediate contributor the moment he arrived in Austin, he finished No. 3 in school history in touchdown catches (26) and No. 4 in receiving yards (2,755). He also became just the second player in Texas history with three seasons of 60-plus receptions.

Using his ability to weaponize his burst and breakaway speed, Worthy can win deep, separate out of breaks with full-speed route cuts or stick his foot in the ground and fly with the ball in his hands. Despite being a blur across the field, though, just 18.7 percent of his catches in 2023 resulted in a 20-plus-yard play. He tracks the ball well, but he won’t win in many 50-50 situations and needs space at the catch point to be effective.

Overall, Worthy doesn’t have ideal size, toughness or play strength, but his dynamic speed and playmaking instincts make him a threat as both a wide receiver and return man. He doesn’t have the body of work of DeSean Jackson, but he teases similar flashes.

Arizona ranked last in run defense and 31st in scoring defense and allowed 4.7 yards per carry. The Cardinals need a talent infusion along the defensive line and Darius Robinson provides it this year, likely as a 3-4 defensive end. He walks in as a starter and with his intangible gifts, Robinson should help elevate a struggling Arizona defense.

The best word to describe Robinson is massive. A frame that could lead him to edge or interior, Robinson (6-5, 285) has positional flexibility up and down the line. He also boasts an extraordinary wingspan (84 3/8 inches) and incredible hand size (10 5/8 inches). At Missouri, Robinson was productive with 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss to earn first-team All-SEC honors. He also was considered the team leader for a team that beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and was voted the practice player of the week at the Senior Bowl.

Grade: A-

Up there with Troy Fautanu as the most versatile lineman in this class, Duke’s Graham Barton has college starting experience at both center and tackle and will most likely get a shot inside with the Bucs – who were in need of a center.

One of the most powerful linemen in the class, Barton doesn’t have ideal length to play outside in the NFL, but his power and IQ (along with his feet) are more than enough to be terrific inside. He’s probably interior-only in the NFL, but he has a chance to be a very good guard and/or center for a long time.

Grade: A-

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills — AFC playoff rivals — are now trade partners, and Kansas City is moving up to No. 28.

The Chiefs will receive pick Nos. 28, 133 and 248, while Buffalo will receive Nos. 32, 95 and 221.

Kayfabe is the word the professional wrestling world uses to describe when someone sells a storyline element as being real. It dates back to the earliest days of this industry and has largely gone out of favor, but purists insist that it still has value.

Tony Khan belongs in that category of purists, as a recent AEW storyline saw him getting his neck injured in an in-ring incident and continued with Khan wearing a neck brace to sell the injury.

This is an age-old pro wrestling gimmick, and Khan could easily have justified not letting his wrestling management duties cross over with his football duties, but he showed dedication to the squared circle by wearing the neck brace in the Jaguars draft war room.

The Arizona Cardinals selected Missouri defensive tackle Darius Robinson with the No. 27 pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Robinson: A three-year starter at Missouri, Robinson played six-technique defensive end in former defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After playing primarily inside as an underclassman, he moved to an edge role as a super senior and had a breakout season while battling injuries, leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (14.0) and sacks (8.5).

A power-based rusher, Robinson wears down blockers with his upper-body strength and aggressive hand usage, deploying his anaconda arms to swallow ball carriers in the run game. Though athletic for his size, he lacks ideal get-off and lateral burst and needs more of a plan to cut down on wasted movement.

Overall, Robinson is straight out of central casting with his frame, length and power at contact, but he needs to introduce better skill and efficiency to his game for quicker sheds versus NFL blocking. He projects as a base end in either an odd or even front who can shift inside in subpackages.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Duke center Graham Barton with the No. 26 pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Barton: A four-year starter at Duke, Barton was entrenched at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Kevin Johns’ scheme. The highest-ranked recruit in the Blue Devils’ class four years ago, he earned freshman All-America honors as a center in 2020 and started 34 games at left tackle over the last three seasons, earning All-America honors in 2023.

As a run blocker, Barton plays with the athletic control, core strength and stubborn mentality to execute his assignments. His movements and finishing skills also translate to pass protection, but he will struggle cutting off NFL speed and needs to improve his punch timing to stay ahead of schedule (and avoid penalties).

Overall, Barton will have adjustments to make as he moves inside, but he has athletic feet and strong hands and works hard to stay attached to blocks through the whistle. He projects as an above-average NFL starter at guard or center (reminiscent of Alijah Vera-Tucker).

Why Jordan Morgan was a first-round pick

An experienced, tough offensive lineman with great knowledge and want-to in the run game, Morgan is another college tackle who feels ready to slide inside and start at guard for someone right away next year. Versatility is also a factor here.

The Packers have needs at both offensive line and the secondary and opted for guard Jordan Morgan rather than addressing a secondary that intercepted a league-low seven passes. Morgan certainly is a first-round prospect but Green Bay missed a chance to improve at its most vulnerable spot.

Largely considered a guard prospect, Morgan (6-5, 311) started 37 games over five seasons at Arizona. His arm length (32 7/8 inches) will probably keep him inside, but Morgan could kick outside if necessary. A first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Morgan has huge hands (11 inches) and ran a 5.04-second 40 at the combine. He should start right away at right guard.

Grade: C

The Green Bay Packers drafted Arizona guard Jordan Morgan with the No. 25 pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Morgan: A four-year starter at Arizona, Morgan was a constant at left tackle in offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll’s zone-based scheme (Carroll is the son of Pete Carroll and was the assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2015-21). After Arizona won a combined five games during his first three seasons on campus, Morgan helped lead the program’s turnaround in 2023 (Arizona won 10 games in a season for just the second time since 1998).

A quick-footed blocker, Morgan displays range and aggression in the run game and gets on top of rushers quickly in his jump sets when he uses well-timed hands. His struggles in pass protection come when he is overaggressive with his kick slide and gets too far up the arc, which can create a two-way go for rushers and open the door for inside counters.

Overall, Morgan struggles to anchor mid-slide versus power, but he is a balanced mover who is well-schooled and physical in all phases. Though he can survive at tackle in the NFL, his skill set projects much better inside at guard, similar to Matthew Bergeron.

Draft analysts Dane Brugler and Nate Tice also love the Lions' pick of cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Brugler on Arnold: "The Lions are very familiar with Jaylon Johnson in their division. To me this is a carbon copy of Jaylon Johnson."

The local fans in Detroit were concerned the Lions might trade out of the first round. But when the corners started falling, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell couldn’t help but pick up the phone. Detroit trades up five spots, from No. 29 to No. 24 and fills a big need. Like the Eagles, the Lions landed outstanding value in the 20s in the form of Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. Arnold and Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell were pretty clearly the top two corners in this draft. Top 15 prospects on my board.

For Detroit, this fills an obvious need and it comes in the form of a perfect fit for Detroit’s culture. Arnold is a confident corner who plays with swag, he loves to work, he loves tough coaching and he loves to win. Arnold also gets to reunite with Brian Branch in a new-look Detroit secondary. Another great value pick.

Grade: A