The Detroit Lions were obviously in the market for a cornerback in April's draft. Fortune smiled on them with the run of offensive players taken to start the first round, and Terrion Arnold fell far enough (No. 24) to make a trade up to get him palatable.
But sitting at No. 29 overall with a trade up a possibility, the cornerback options extended beyond Arnold if the Lions wanted to entertain them.
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins ran a blazing 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That immediately got the attention of Lions' fans and followers.
Nate Wiggins is ABSOLUTELY a trade up option for the Detroit Lions 🔥pic.twitter.com/jK5DNX7F4D
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) March 1, 2024
Wiggins did not emerge from that run unscathed, suffering a hip flexor injury. It was not a major issue, and it didn't prevent him from being a first-round pick-No. 30 overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
The good and bad of Nate Wiggins on full display in NFL debut
There's no denying Wiggins' ability, and overall his physical traits are NFL-caliber (6-foot-1, 74 and 2/8-inch wingspan, etc). He made his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night, with three pass breakups on the Eagles' first offensive series. Pro Football Focus credited him with four forced incompletions on six targets (43 snaps).
Some may say Wiggins already made the rest of the league look foolish for passing on him in the draft.
But alas, Wiggins left Friday night's game with a shoulder injury. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did not offer a clear update after the game. On Saturday Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported there's confidence Wiggins avoided a "really" significant injury, but it's hardly a definitive report conveying little or no concern about his status for Week 1.
The Ravens are confident that rookie CB Nate Wiggins, who hurt his shoulder Friday night, avoided a really significant injury. Wiggins could miss some practice time but Ravens still optimistic for Week 1.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 10, 2024
Injuries are inherent and unavoidable in football. But Wiggins being banged up enough to not be able to continue in what was otherwise an excellent performance brings spotlight back to why the Lions (and others) let him fall to pick 30 in the draft.
Nate Wiggins 173 pounds at almost 6-2. No bueno. Not even close to bueno https://t.co/Voqp0U8XYf
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) March 1, 2024
Wiggins came in at 173 pounds at the Combine, and he is noticeably slight. That seemed to be more than enough to push him down (if not off) the Lions' draft board, based on what they want from their cornerbacks as tacklers and run defenders. To say nothing of run defense being noted as a weak point in his game by Pro Football Focus.
The Lions had Arnold as the No. 1 cornerback on their draft board, so they were very happy to get him. The most likely reason Wiggins was not as highly-regarded by them, a slight frame making naturally more susceptible to injuries like the one he has, has already come to light.