Las Vegas Raiders pre-2021 NFL Draft position review: Safety
Jeff Heath
The Las Vegas Raiders signed the 7-year veteran Jeff Heath last offseason for some depth behind presumed starters Johnathan Abram and Erik Harris, as he was solid as a backup in Dallas. While he was supposed to just provide depth, he actually had a solid season with the Raiders and was the first player to intercept Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 5 of the 2020 season.
Heath ended up staring five games while playing in 13 total, finishing with three interceptions, and it looks like he is going to be a part of the plan in 2021 as well. Heath is a solid veteran for this defensive backfield, and he can help this Raiders team in terms of depth, and on special teams.
In General Manager Mike Mayock’s pre-draft press conference, he stated that he likes Heath at the free safety position, and claimed that Heath actually played well while in that spot last season. That is a ringing endorsement from Mayock, and if Abram struggles again in 2021, he could find himself starting some more games for the Silver and Black.