The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2024 offseason. With free agency as the next big event to shape next season’s roster, it will be followed by the NFL draft in April. The Steelers will have a number of decisions with players who were on the 2023 roster and will have the opportunity to add some free agent acquisitions before making their first draft selection. The NFL combine and player pro days will also shape the team’s big boards before the draft.

When talking about mock drafts or NFL free agency, one first has to first identify the team’s main needs for the offseason. Before any gains or losses in free agency, there are some who would like to see the Steelers go with either offensive line or defensive line with their first-round pick. Others feel inside linebacker or cornerback could be on top of the list. With plenty of chances for the Steelers to shape their roster prior to April, their goal is usually to get into position to draft the best player available rather than target a specific position. When it comes to what position the team will select with their first pick, it is certainly up for debate.

In the latest one-round mock draft by lastwordonsports.com, (sometimes it takes a lesser known site to find a player who hasn’t already been covered yet), they have the Steelers addressing the cornerback position again this season before anything else. With the Steelers seeming to find one gem in last year’s draft, they could go high again in 2024 to hold down the position for years. Since the Steelers could go in any number of directions with their first selection, it is important to look at all the possibilities presented by various mock draft outlets.

Check out the Steelers 20th pick:

20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Nate Wiggins | CB | Clemson | JR |

Being early in the draft process, there may be some players most fans are not familiar with. If this is the case, here is a breakdown of Wiggins according to thedraftnetwork.com:

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Size:

• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 185 lbs

Accomplishments:

• First-Team All-ACC (2023)
• ACC Honor Roll (2021)
• 4-star recruit

Strengths:

• NFL-caliber size/stature
• Competitiveness
• Football IQ

Concerns:

• Long speed
• Run defense/tackling
• Fluid transitions

Film Analysis: 

Nate Wiggins has the look of an outside/perimeter cornerback. The combination of height, arm length, and instincts are the base of his intrigue. 

Wiggins plays mostly off-man and Cover 3 zone coverage. He has a smooth and comfortable press bail and bail drop as he enters his designated area in coverage. Wiggins does a good job carrying vertical routes down the field and maintaining positioning to make a play at the breakpoint. He is very competitive in coverage and at the catch point. He will attack the body of the receiver and rake through their hands to prevent a reception. If there is no threat of speed, he will sit and/or squat on routes and limit separation at the breakpoint. 

In man coverage, Wiggins is patient in the contact window and does not rely on being overly physical. From his eye discipline to his footwork, he can leverage the release of the receiver and timing of the route. I appreciate how quickly he attempts to eliminate the space between himself and the receiver to squeeze them to the sideline on vertical stems. He is experienced in playing trail technique/man-under to create smaller throwing lanes for the QB. His ability to diagnose and recognize quick routes and screens is impressive. Wiggins reads route concepts well from depth, this increases his trigger downhill to click and close. 

Wiggins struggles with stopping and starting. He does not have the best burst to gather back up to speed quickly and work back into phase on vertical routes. While his bail technique is smooth, he is high-hipped and a little segmented with his backpedal. He does not turn or change directions as fluidly. I would like to see more enthusiasm from Wiggins as a run defender. He does not look to engage or enter the action unless necessary and tackling is adequate.

Wiggins projects as a starting outside cornerback for a cover-3-based defensive system. Wiggins can play man-to-man coverage from both off and press alignment. He is a competitive, versatile cornerback who can help a defense as a starter.  

Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber

For all you who are preparing yourself for the draft, what do you think of the selection? Would you be on board with the Steelers taking Wiggins with their first pick? Or do you feel there is a better player at this position, a different one who may still be available, or that Wiggins will not make it to the 20th pick? Personally, I have cornerback as one of the top three positions to take in the first round for the Steelers. Of course, free agency could completely change this. But right now, if the Steelers think they have the right guy at 20 to pair with Joey Porter, I’m on board. And based on what I’ve read about Wiggins, he would not be a reach at this position and could be the guy that could get the job done opposite Porter if he were available.