Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, one of the best players in the 2024 wave of free agency, will have a new home. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Wilkins will get a four-year contract with $110 million in base value, and $84 million guaranteed.
Those are weighty numbers that put Wilkins among the NFL’s top defensive tackles, but he’s put up enough numbers of his own for that contract to be quite reasonable. Selected by the Dolphins with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Clemson, Wilkins had 10 sacks, 61 total pressures, 40 tackles, and 34 stops last season. The 6-foot-4, 310-pund Wilkins can win from just about any gap — he played 16% of his snaps at edge last season — and he faced some kind of double team on 301 of his snaps, getting two sacks and 33 total pressures when doubled.
It’s likely that when Wilkins lines up next to edge demon Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas’ fronts, he’ll face far fewer double-teams than that.
Last season, Christian Wilkins' 61 quarterback pressures led to three interceptions. It ain't all about sacks. Wilkins is also a machete through double teams. Putting him next to Maxx Crosby on the Raiders' line is borderline illegal. pic.twitter.com/OHpv7X3zcw
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 11, 2024