Don’t let the 3-6 record fool you. The Dolphins team is very good. And the Raiders will have to use every advantage they can if they hope to pull out a win.
One advantage they will not have on the field with them is Christian Wilkins. The Pro Bowl DT is currently on injured reserve. But just because he can’t take the field, doesn’t mean he isn’t helping them.
When the Raiders take the field in Miami, they will be facing a team full of former Wilkins’ teammates playing for a staff of former Wilkins’ coaches. And they plan to get every bit of intel on the orange and aqua Wilkins can provide.
“Absolutely. We’re in the business of gathering information,” said Raiders DC Patrick Graham. “Christian [Wilkins], he’s a smart football player, he picks up on tendencies well. So, absolutely getting information from him.”
Wilkins was a first round pick by the Dolphins and spent the first five years of his career in Miami. The last four lining up across from Tua Tagovailoa in practice every day and the last two under head coach Mike McDaniel. So, he knows a thing or two about their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.
Certainly facing former players on other teams is nothing new. It happens every week practically. Sometimes it is quite beneficial. This could be one of those times.