'Great Conversation': Falcons Meet with Top CBs Nate Wiggins, Kamari Lassiter at NFL Combine
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Atlanta Falcons have met with a pair of the 2024 NFL Draft's best cornerbacks.
Clemson's Nate Wiggins and Georgia's Kamari Lassiter both said during Thursday's media availability that they've had formal interviews with the Falcons in Indianapolis.
Wiggins, the No. 2 corner on SI Draft Bible's big board, is an Atlanta native who played at Westlake High School, the same as Falcons corner A.J. Terrell.
The 20-year-old Wiggins enjoyed his interview with the Falcons.
“It was a great conversation,” Wiggins said with a smile. “They’re hometown.”
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins speaks to reporters Feb. 29, 2024, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Daniel Flick - SI Falcon Report
Wiggins trains with Terrell during the offseason and said the former All-Pro is a big part of why he was able to position himself as one of college football's best defensive backs.
The 6-2, 185-pound Wiggins played in 34 games at Clemson, starting 18 of his final 23. He recorded 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, 24 pass deflections and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
This past season, Wiggins recorded two interceptions, one of which was returned 46 yards to the endzone against Florida Atlantic, the first two forced fumbles of his collegiate career and eight pass deflections en route to first-team All-ACC honors.
Wiggins spent much of his formative years in Atlanta and would cherish the opportunity to come back as a professional.
“It would mean a lot,” Wiggins said. “It would be a miracle playing for the hometown, showing love for the hometown. That’d be love.”
Lassiter is SI's No. 8 corner, fresh off a season in which he started every game, led the Bulldogs with eight pass breakups and made 37 tackles, with 3.5 coming for a loss. He earned second-team All-SEC honors by the league's coaches.
Across three years in Athens, Lassiter played four games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, noting it felt like another home game.
The Savannah, Georgia, native was brief with his assessment of his formal meeting with Atlanta's brass.
"It was fun," Lassiter said, exiting stage left as his podium availability ended.
The Falcons have several question marks at cornerback, starting with Terrell's long-term future. His contract expires after the 2024 season, and while Atlanta is expected to pursue an extension, work still remains.
There's a more pressing question opposite Terrell, as Jeff Okudah struggled down the stretch this past season, watching as fourth-round rookie Clark Phillips III surged to a starting spot.
But Atlanta has to determine if the 5-9 Phillips is better suited inside or outside; he played both this past season but has much more experience on the perimeter dating back to college.
The Falcons have been linked to several of the draft's top quarterbacks, and general manager Terry Fontenot said solving that position is a priority this offseason.
As such, Atlanta likely won't pursue a cornerback at No. 8 overall, meaning it may not have a realistic chance to make Wiggins' hometown dream come true.
But if the Falcons hold onto their second-round pick, which currently sits at No. 43 overall, it's plausible they'll have the opportunity to select Lassiter, keeping one of Georgia's most talented defenders at home.
Wiggins and Lassiter will run and perform drills on Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in front of all but one NFL team - the Los Angeles Rams - ahead of April's draft.
