The Las Vegas Raiders added one of the biggest prizes in free agency on Monday. But ex-Miami Dolphins have probably known defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been out the door for weeks.
The Dolphins’ decision last week not to apply the franchise tag made Monday’s news — Wilkins to the Raiders on a four-year, $110 million deal — a matter of whom, not if or when.
Saying Goodbye to Christian Wilkins Was Miami Dolphins’ Only Real Move
This one hurts, no doubt. It hurts Dolphins fans who loved Wilkins’ edge and big plays.
And it’ll hurt the organization that drafted Wilkins, that developed Wilkins, and then held the line on money when the two sides were close on a contract last summer.
INSTANT VIDEO REACTION to the jaw-dropping Christian Wilkins/Las Vegas Raiders contract https://t.co/N1vay13Si9 pic.twitter.com/W1oOTbvA0r
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) March 11, 2024
Wilkins’ decision to push for more than the Dolphins were willing to pay made Monday’s divorce not just possible, but pretty much inevitable.
Wilkins’ $27.5 million reported AAV will make him the third-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league and the fifth-highest-paid defensive player, regardless of position.
It’s believed to be significantly more than the team’s final offer last summer, and also way more than the franchise tag, which would have paid Wilkins $22.1 million in 2024, but also likely set up the same dynamic this time next year.
So instead of giving Wilkins what he wanted last summer, the Dolphins went about planning for life without him. That began with the three-year, $30.8 million contract they gave to Zach Sieler.
The Dolphins certainly got worse in the first two hours of free agency Monday, with Wilkins and safety Brandon Jones both cashing in elsewhere.
General manager Chris Grier’s long-term strategy with Wilkins is probably the right one. He knew the window to sign him was last summer, and if he knew that the cap was going to jump 13% this winter, probably would have been willing to go higher then.
But defensive tackle salaries reached a whole new level in 2024, and the Dolphins got priced out.
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They have far too many needs to dedicate roughly a tenth of their cap on one player, particularly with extensions for Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips, and Jevon Holland on the horizon.
And it’s not like the free agent defensive tackle market is bereft of talent. The Dolphins can fill with a far more reasonable price.
Remaining options at the position include Arik Armstead (49ers), Leonard Williams (Seahawks), DJ Reader (Bengals), and Grover Stewart (Colts).
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