Edmonton Elks Sign Former NFL Draft Pick

Originally posted on CFL on FanNation | By Anthony Miller | Last updated 12/19/23

The Edmonton Elks have slowly been making moves to its roster, adding players here and there. The focus was shifted to the secondary as the team added a defensive back.

An announcement was made this week that the Elks had signed James Wiggins to the club.

Wiggins spent the 2023 season in the USFL playing for the New Orleans Breakers. He recorded nine tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble in three games. His play helped the team go 7-3 on the year and make the postseason.

TRANSACTION | The Elks sign James Wiggins (DB).

DETAILS | https://t.co/Q49iGBoyfX

Make your next transaction with @PlayAlbertaCA | https://t.co/maFOe5uWmr #OurTeamOurCity #GoElks #CFL pic.twitter.com/sUuhaq2J4z
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) December 18, 2023

Before the USFL, Wiggins was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals. He originally signed a four-year agreement with the team before getting cut in training camp and re-signed to their practice squad. In 2022, he spent a short period with the Kansas City Chiefs early in the season. During the offseason, he was with the Green Bay Packers up until May.

Where Wiggins excelled was in college for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2016-20. He missed one season in 2019 after tearing his ACL in practice.

His final career numbers include 87 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 16 pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 32 games. He did earn some accolades at Cincinnati including second-team All-AAC in 2018 and second-team All-American in 2020.

Edmonton has signed five players so far in the offseason. The Elks finished the 2023 season with a 4-14 record, missing the postseason.

This article first appeared on CFL on FanNation and was syndicated with permission.

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