Clemson CB Nate Wiggins formally meets with Panthers, remains a long-shot 2024 NFL Draft option

Addressing the secondary is a primary concern for the Carolina Panthers who don't own a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  One solution for the Panthers is University of Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, who formally met with the team and had good things to say about the defense, Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com reported Thursday.  […]

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Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins (DB42) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Addressing the secondary is a primary concern for the Carolina Panthers who don't own a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

One solution for the Panthers is University of Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, who formally met with the team and had good things to say about the defense, Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com reported Thursday

Wiggins, 20, is a player who can be a plug-and-play option for the Panthers as several cornerbacks – Shaquill Griffin, Troy Hill and C.J. Henderson – are unrestricted free agents. 

Out of Clemson, Wiggins has explosiveness on his side. He also does an excellent job mirroring and recognizing routes various wide receivers run. 

Working in the Panthers' favor is his affinity for the Panthers' defensive scheme. In his formal meeting with the team, he had positive words for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system, which requires more man-to-man coverage out of the cornerback position. 

Wiggins played at Clemson from 2021 to 2023, amassing 60 tackles, three interceptions and two touchdown returns.

Currently, Wiggins is projected to go in the mid-first round. If he did blow the Panthers away during his formal meeting, a trade into the first round to nab a corner compared to William Jackson and Greg Newsome could be worth the risk for Dan Morgan and his brain trust.