The Raiders continue their trend from last year, drafting players from the National Championship game. The Raiders double down on Clemson players, this time adding a WR1 for Derek Carr. There are multiple receivers the Raiders could likely draft here, such as Henry Ruggs III, Laviska Shenault, and Justin Jefferson, but the abilities that Higgins showed in his final college game are too much to pass up on.
Higgins finished off his final college season with over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as 12 touchdowns in the season prior. At 6’4, 215 lbs, Higgins has the size and speed to make a difference for the Raiders immediately, and would team nicely with former teammate Hunter Renfrow.
General Manager Mike Mayock has already stated that the team needs to add weapons for Derek Carr this offseason, and they accomplish that here in the first round. Higgins is a big, physical receiver who can go up and make the tough catches, and this pick enables the Raiders to move Tyrell Williams back to his more-favorable No. 2 role.