After hearing the details in the new contracts of Baltimore Ravens DT Justin Madubuike and Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones, one individual is quietly jumping in excitement behind closed doors: Miami Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins.
Set to hit the open market this week, Wilkins will soon be a rich, rich man. Whichever franchise elects to take Wilkins on their team, rest assure the former 2019 first-round pick deserves every penny.
Impact of Christian Wilkins in Free Agency After Justin Madubuike and Chris Jones Deals
When ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday night the Chiefs were giving their star DT a well-earned five-year extension that included $95 million in guaranteed money, the market only increased for Wilkins, who was not franchise-tagged prior to the March 5 deadline.
With Jones soon to have the highest average annual salary for a defensive tackle in NFL history, it basically gave a quick background as to the amount Wilkins and his agent will ask for.
As said by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Wilkins’ market “is heating up after Miami opted against the franchise tag. Expect at least seven teams to pursue him.”
Christian Wilkins, from Jeremy Fowler:
"Expect at least seven teams to pursue him. The Brian Flores connection in Minnesota is one to watch, but Houston and Cleveland could take swings, too."
Dan Graziano:
"Wilkins is likely to be a hot name… Texans and Lions looking to…
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 10, 2024
The market could be similar to Madubuike’s, Baltimore’s stud defensive tackle, who earned a hefty four-year, $98 million deal to stay put as an important defensive piece for the Ravens.
Had the Dolphins given Wilkins a one-year franchise tag, it would have been officially set at $22.1 million for the 2024 season.
But with the Dolphins currently getting themselves out of salary cap misery and still figuring out what they are going to do with RG Robert Hunt and a long-term extension involving QB Tua Tagovailoa, it is almost now a guarantee Wilkins will go to a team that is willing to pay him big, big money.
Losing Wilkins would be a devastating blow for a Dolphins defensive unit that played fairly well this past season under former coordinator Vic Fangio. However, the Dolphins must own this one, choosing to not put the franchise tag on the former Clemson standout.
Having no choice but to bet on himself, Wilkins closed the 2023 campaign with a career-best 9.0 sacks, all while producing 65 total tackles, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
The Dolphins added two guys to their defensive unit this week in Isaiah Mack and Daviyon Nixon, but with the soon-to-be loss of Wilkins on the defensive line, the organization may soon put the defensive tackle position atop their needs entering the free agency period and 2024 NFL Draft.
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