The Detroit Lions’ pass defense will most likely not improve with only one addition. However, CBS Sports’ Kyle Stackpole suggested Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins may be the first step toward upgrading a secondary that ranked 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed last season.
In his NFL mock draft on February 16, Stackpole ranked Wiggins 29th overall to the Lions.
“If the Lions want to make their first Super Bowl appearance, they’ll need their pass defense to be better,” he said. “Nate Wiggins, with his 6-foot-2 frame and lightning speed, would be a great start toward improving the secondary.”
Since the Super Bowl, Stackpole has joined The Ringer’s Ben Solak and NFLmocks.com’s Cody Spears as mock draft analysts who have forecasted Wiggins to be the Lions’ No. 29 overall pick.
In recent NFL drafts, there have been clear-cut picks at cornerback. That does not appear to be the case this year, however.
Not that the 2024 draft class lacks quality cornerback prospects. On January 30, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah listed five cornerbacks among his top 32.
However, with no clear top cornerback or top tier at the position this season, it’s difficult to forecast where any cornerback prospect will end up.
ESPN’s big board has Wiggins ranked the top cornerback and the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2024 class. Pro Football Focus has Wiggins rated the second-best cornerback and No. 13 overall.
With those ratings, it becomes doubtful that he will slip to the Lions at No. 29.
However, according to Bleacher Report’s draft rankings, Wiggins is ranked eighth among cornerbacks and 50th overall. Jeremiah ranks Wiggins sixth at cornerback and 30th overall.
Wiggins’ draft stock is controversial, so it will be intriguing to watch how he performs during offseason workouts. These performances could dramatically alter his draft position.
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