BALTIMORE — Nate Wiggins believes Year 3 is his time.

The Ravens cornerback made that abundantly clear when we spoke one-on-one Wednesday at his locker stall.

“This year is very big for me,” Wiggins said. “Going on to Year 3, man, I need to stand on business. For me, I just want everybody [to] know I’m one of the best cover guys in the league.”

OK, Nate. Let’s see it.

Actually, we already have.

Sunday sure was a phenomenal start for Wiggins, who dominated during the Ravens’ 41-23 victory over the Colts, allowing zero receptions on two targets across 34 coverage snaps. According to Next Gen Stats, Wiggins was the only outside cornerback in the NFL who played at least 25 coverage snaps in Week 1 without surrendering a catch.

Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tested him twice and came away empty both times.

Wiggins’ brash confidence fits his position. NFL cornerbacks need swagger when every snap places them on an island against an explosive receiver with almost no margin for error. Cornerbacks, after all, must backpedal and play purely off instinct, letting their athleticism take over at the point of attack. Even the slightest hesitation can result in a chunk gain or six points.

The Ravens drafted Wiggins No. 30 overall in 2024 out of Clemson. His long frame, blazing recovery speed and natural coverage ability give him the tools to become one of football’s top cornerbacks.

Ravens fans have seen those tantalizing flashes, though they have been waiting for Wiggins to stay healthy and put everything together.

Year 3 might be when it happens.

“He was all over his guy the whole time,” fellow cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “It is really good to see him flourishing in that third year.”

Humphrey looked just as good on the opposite side.

The 10th-year veteran cornerback broke up a deep pass, allowed only 29 yards on four targets and ripped the ball away from star running back Jonathan Taylor and recovered it himself, one of two Baltimore takeaways. First-year coach Jesse Minter rewarded Humphrey with an honorary game ball.

While Wiggins routinely erased his assignment, his counterpart stole a possession.

Yeah, the Ravens can work with that.

Most of the attention after the opener understandably went to a Declan Doyle-led offense that piled up 506 yards. Lamar Jackson looked like a Most Valuable Player candidate, Derrick Henry scored three bruising touchdowns and Zay Flowers needed only one half to set a career high with 150 receiving yards.

If Week 1 accurately previewed what Baltimore will get from its top two cornerbacks, I have a hard time finding many holes on this loaded roster. I know that is a lot to declare after injuries ravaged this team last season.

The Ravens can go very far with Wiggins and Humphrey performing like this.

Last season, Humphrey allowed an NFL-high 831 yards in coverage in 2025, according to Next Gen Stats, while Wiggins allowed the second most with 810. Both handled difficult assignments for an injury-riddled defense that struggled to generate consistent pressure, but those totals were still jarring.

Neither corner was healthy.

Wiggins underwent surgery and revealed during the offseason that he played at only 60-70%. He later avoided another major injury scare after a frightening training camp scene in which he left practice on a medical cart.

By the opener, Wiggins looked healthy enough to run stride for stride with just about anyone.

Humphrey also missed time last season with a calf injury and later dislocated a finger during practice. He played through his pain, tallying 13 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Since Baltimore drafted Humphrey in the first round in 2017, he has collected 23 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles, including Sunday’s strip of Taylor. Regardless of how you perceive the always outgoing Humphrey and where he stands at age 30, he’s made a knack of taking the football away.

He believes playing freely will help him create even more of those game-changing moments.

“Just playing free, I think that is the biggest thing,” Humphrey said. “I read over my goals every day, a couple times a day sometimes. The biggest thing I am trying to get to is that flow state where you are not really thinking about much [and] you are just playing ball.”

Wiggins’ sticky coverage gives the Ravens more freedom to simulate and send pressure as well as move safety Kyle Hamilton around the field.

“With the guys we have,” Humphrey said, “I think if we can just keep working together, we can be special.”

Up next for Humphrey and Wiggins is Saints wideout Chris Olave, who caught 10 passes for a career-high 182 yards in New Orleans’ overtime loss to Detroit. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough passed for 410 yards and repeatedly fed his explosive top receiver.

Minter said Wednesday that having one cornerback follow a receiver remains a week-to-week decision based on matchups because opposing offenses can use motion and condensed formations to create favorable matchups.

Personally, I want to see as much Wiggins against Olave as possible.

Regardless, Wiggins has 16 more regular-season games to support his claim that he belongs among the NFL’s best cover corners.

It’s early, but the Ravens believe their explosive offense can score with anyone. Their defense becomes considerably more dangerous when Wiggins takes away one side of the field, Humphrey hunts turnovers on the other and the improved pass rush closes in between them.

If this is what Baltimore receives from its top two cornerbacks, the Ravens look ready for a long run.

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