Raiders 2021 mock draft: Upgrading all levels of the defense

Raiders 2021 mock draft: 4th pick

With all due respect to veterans Erik Harris and Jeff Heath, the Raiders could be looking to significantly upgrade the back end of their secondary in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Heath, a veteran free agent who has played the majority of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, proved to be a solid pickup for the Raiders and had three interceptions on the season (led the team).

Former first-round pick Jonathan Abram also had two interceptions and is a tone-setter (to a fault) from his strong safety position.

James Wiggins is a fascinating player to watch in the secondary because he can do a variety of things well.

Wiggins can play high, he can play in the slot, and he can come downhill and put the hit stick on. What you love most about him is how fast he plays when he is at full strength.

He missed the 2019 season with an ACL injury but came back in 2020 to play nine games and should be back to that full speed by the time the 2021 NFL season rolls around.

There is a bit of that injury risk involved with a pick like this, but the upside on Wiggins – a freakish athlete – is very high.