NFL Rookie Roundup 360: Nate Wiggins vs Xavier Worthy set the stage for #TNF

Two of the most intriguing rookies will be hoisted into the spotlight on Thursday night when the Baltimore Ravens take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL season opener that also serves as a rematch of the AFC Championship Game. 

One rookie who will be put to the test is Ravens first-round pick Nate Wiggins.  Selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Clemson product adds speed and athleticism to the Ravens’ secondary.  Can he be an instant factor in a secondary led by Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens?

Will Nate Wiggins already be put to the test vs. Chiefs?

After impressing through training camp and the preseason, Wiggins will be an interesting rookie to watch all season long for the Ravens, but what will factor into to his rookie success will be his speed, which will be put to the test against the Chiefs’ offense, primarily fellow rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy who demonstrated record-setting speed at the NFL Combine.

Could this matchup be on display on Thursday night? 

With his speed, it’s a good bet you will.  But speed isn’t the only attribute that makes Wiggins an intriguing rookie in 2024, he is also in a situation where he can learn from veterans like Stephens who has been impressed by the Ravens talented young defensive back.

“His speed – he’s definitely got the speed” Stephens said when asked what impressed him about Wiggins. “Also, the way he just approaches every day – always trying to learn, asking the right questions and just trying to learn from guys that have been here.”

There will be a lot of learning opportunities going up against a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes in Week 1.

How will Chiefs showcase their explosive new wide receiver?

Worthy is the other rookie setting the stage for the 2024 NFL draft class on Thursday night.  That blazing speed has already been on display in the preseason which seems to be just the start of the connection between Mahomes and the Texas product who is a big play ready to happen.

With Travis Kelce still the top chief in the offense, the defending Super Bowl champs have added some firepower to the offense with the additions of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and a player in Worthy who will remind fans of Tyreek Hill as far as what the Chiefs’ offense can do with him in the offense, specifically in taken advantage of that 4.21-second 40-yard dash speed that had even Hill breaking down social media with excitement.

He also had Mahomes adding in on the hype which has now turned into scary veteran quarterback-rookie wide receiver duo who are in for some great highlights throughout the upcoming season.

How will the Chiefs showcase Worthy on Thursday night? 

There will probably be a few short passes to utilize his speed and get him going before Mahomes will take a shot or two downfield.  Don’t be surprised if that happens prior to halftime. 

The question is will he be covered by Wiggins?  Stay tuned.