2024 Rams mock draft: Rams land elite CB and 2 vets in first mock of 2024

Round 1 - Shutdown corner

With the 19th pick, the LA Rams select CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson. It was clear that the LA Rams were susceptible to deep passes, and one of the first orders of business for the LA Rams defense for 2024 and the future is to counter that weakness. The Rams are at risk of losing their top cornerback from 2023, veteran DB Ahkello Witherspoon, and I am not convinced that the Rams' front office will make much of an effort to extend him for 2024 or beyond.

Therefore, the Rams need to add an elite cornerback prospect, and in many ways, Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins appears to check all of the boxes. Wiggins presents true value for the LA Rams at the 19th overall pick and is considered by many draft scouts to be among the Top-5 defensive backs in the 2024 NFL Draft

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds, Wiggins possesses the size that the LA Rams will be seeking in a defensive back in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. While he will need to bulk up by adding about 15-20 pounds of muscle as body armor to compete effectively in the NFL on defense, he is a rare plug-and-play staring option for the Rams secondary.

The LA Rams ran out of draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft before the team could fully upgrade their secondary. But it is clear that the Rams defensive backs who are currently on the roster need a young shutdown corner who can cover the entire football field, and who can stand toe-to-tow with the bigger receivers and tight ends who flourish in the NFL.

Wiggins delivers that type of blanket coverage, whether it is the zone, man, or press-man coverage. He is tall, smart, and fast as lightning. The Rams need to get much better at defending long pass plays, and the selection of DB Nate Wiggins is a huge step in the right direction.