Tag: Christian Wilkins

Dolphins make a decision on Wilkins

As we approach the start of the 2022 NFL Draft tonight, the Miami Dolphins have made a decision on their first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Dolphins are exercising the fifth-year option on former Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, …

As we approach the start of the 2022 NFL Draft tonight, the Miami Dolphins have made a decision on their first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Dolphins are exercising the fifth-year option on former Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, according to NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe.

Now that his option has been picked up, Wilkins is guaranteed a salary of $10.753 million next year, and this move buys more time for the two parties to negotiate a long-term deal.

It would be wise for the Dolphins to lock up Wilkins for the long haul. The former Clemson star and 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft is coming off a career season last year, when he posted 89 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a touchdown reception.

Wilkins, who has played in 47 games while making 43 starts during his three-year NFL career (2019-2021), has 192 tackles, eight sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries to go with two catches for two touchdowns.

–Photo for this article courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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A lot of Dolphins fans had the same thought when Miami picked up Christian Wilkins’ fifth-year option

Everybody wants to see him around beyond 2023.

Despite the Miami Dolphins moving on from Brian Flores and bringing in a young, first-time head coach in Mike McDaniel this offseason, one of the themes of this period has been continuity.

On Thursday, that ideal continued for the Dolphins, as they exercised the fifth-year option in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ contract to keep him on the team until at least the end of the 2023 season, paying him $10.7 million guaranteed in that final season.

When the news was first reported by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, a number of fans and analysts had similar first thoughts about what this move meant.

Dolphins exercising fifth-year option on DT Christian Wilkins

This will keep him under contract through the 2023 season.

All 32 teams have until Monday, May 2 to pick up the fifth-year option on the first-round draft picks from the 2019 NFL draft.

The Miami Dolphins opted to exercise the fifth-year option for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who was taken No. 13 overall back in 2019, with a few days to spare, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

That fifth year will pay Wilkins $10.7 million fully guaranteed in 2023, but the best part of this move is that the two sides will have more time to work out a long-term deal that benefits both the defensive tackle and the Dolphins. That should be the plan after Wilkins had a career-year in 2021, recording 89 total tackles, 20 quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one receiving touchdown.

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Chris Grier has more decisions to make this offseason

Extensions, signings and draft picks are on the horizon.

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Chris Grier and the Miami Dolphins front office continue to grind it out and fill the 2022 roster for Mike McDaniel and staff. Veteran punter, Thomas Morstead was signed on Friday to a one-year deal that closes the book on two things – the Michael Palardy era and the fanbase’s hope of Miami drafting collegiate “Punt God,” Matt Araiza.

In addition to Morstead, the Dolphins may be addressing the linebacker need by working out Reuben Foster. While it’s unclear whether or not the Dolphins will sign the former Alabama star, this could be a no-risk, high-reward move.

At this point, after the DeVante Parker trade to the New England Patriots and the Xavien Howard contract restructure, Miami has roughly $20 million in space. This leaves a multitude of options for Grier and could help in all facets of the rest of the offseason.

Veterans can still be signed, and with a light draft class following the Tyreek Hill trade, the cap is set up nicely for future business within the roster.

What does that business look like?

Defensive linemen Christian Wilkins could not only have his rookie contract picked up for the fifth year but he could be signed long-term as well. Andrew Van Ginkel is in a contract year, and while the restricted free agent tender was placed on cornerback Nik Needham last month, his future in Miami is a multi-year deal away, which could very well be in the cards with the pot of chips Grier still has at his disposal.

Being a few weeks from the NFL Draft, it’s hard to believe Grier is finished on the transaction side of things. With the punter gap now filled by Morstead, there truly are a limited number of holes on this team.

Depth is always something any football team needs, and with the Dolphins having a bit of a wait until they’re scheduled to make a pick in the upcoming draft, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Grier dip into the stack of checks. He very well could move up should he see a blue-chip player he covets, while, in typical Grier fashion, not breaking the bank in the process.

At this point, he’s earned the trust.

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There will be ‘a little juice on the line’ between honorary head coaches for spring game

Two former Clemson standouts, who were once members of the formidable defensive front that dubbed itself the Power Rangers, will return to Tiger Town this weekend – as coaches. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced during an interview on Out of …

Two former Clemson standouts, who were once members of the formidable defensive front that dubbed itself the Power Rangers, will return to Tiger Town this weekend — as coaches.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced during an interview on Out of Bounds with William Qualkinbush and Kelly Gramlich on WCCP 105.5 FM The Roar on Tuesday that former Tiger defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant will be the honorary head coaches for Saturday’s Orange & White Spring Game at Death Valley.

Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed and tight ends coach Kyle Richardson will be the other heads coaches for the spring game, which is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.

“Our honorary head coaches this week are going to be Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant, and that should be a lot of fun,” Swinney said. “Mike Reed will be a head coach, Kyle Richardson’s going to be a head coach, and then Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant will be the honorary head coaches.”

Wilkins and Bryant, both of whom are playing in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, respectively, were key parts of the Power Rangers unit that helped Clemson capture its most recent national title in 2018.

Wilkins, a three-time All-ACC selection and three-time All-American who became the fifth unanimous All-American in school history in 2018, finished his Clemson career (2015-18) with 250 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over 59 games (45 starts).

Bryant, who was part of Clemson’s two-deep rotation for his entire career, completed his time as a Tiger (2015-18) with 153 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 20.0 sacks, 32 quarterback pressures, four pass breakups, two caused fumbles and an interception across 51 games (29 starts) in his career. He earned Outstanding Defensive Player honors in the CFP Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic in the midst of Clemson’s undefeated 2018 campaign.

There will be some bragging rights at stake when Wilkins and Bryant oppose each other as honorary head coaches during Saturday’s spring game.

“Christian’s fired up because he never won a spring game, and Austin’s fired up because he never lost a spring game,” Swinney said. “So, should be a little fun and a little juice on the line there with those guys.”

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Wilkins helps tackle cancer with Dolphins

On Saturday, the Miami Dolphins held their annual fundraiser, the Dolphins Challenge Cancer ride, to support those in the fight against cancer. The DCC event consists of a handful of bike routes through South Florida, along with a run/walk 5K, and …

On Saturday, the Miami Dolphins held their annual fundraiser, the Dolphins Challenge Cancer ride, to support those in the fight against cancer.

The DCC event consists of a handful of bike routes through South Florida, along with a run/walk 5K, and raises money for cancer research.

Among those who participated in the 12th annual event is former Clemson star and current Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.

Wilkins completed the 50-mile bike ride and was met at the finish line by new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

Check out video and pictures of Wilkins from the event below:

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Four former Tigers ranked among top players from the 2021 NFL season

Pro Football Focus this week released its PFF 101, ranking the top 101 players from the 2021 NFL season. A quartet of former Clemson standouts made the list in Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, …

Pro Football Focus this week released its PFF 101, ranking the top 101 players from the 2021 NFL season.

A quartet of former Clemson standouts made the list in Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and Bengals defensive lineman D.J. Reader.

Terrell came in as the highest-ranked former Tiger in the PFF 101, checking in at No. 47.

Terrell started 16 games for the Falcons this past season, tallying 81 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and 16 passes defended. According to PFF, the shutdown corner allowed fewer than 20 yards in 13 games this season while recording the lowest passer rating allowed (47.5) and the lowest completion percentage allowed (43.9).

Terrell earned a prestigious honor in January when he was named as a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

“A season ago, Terrell was a struggling rookie cornerback, but he is now an All Pro-caliber player despite the defense having little in the way of quality around him,” PFF’s Sam Monson wrote. “Terrell allowed just 43.9% of passes thrown into his coverage to be caught, resulting in a 47.5 passer rating. He surrendered only 200 yards all season long, a figure some cornerbacks gave up in a single game during the season.”

Higgins checks in at No. 64 in the PFF 101.

In his second NFL campaign after being selected by the Bengals in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins racked up 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season before adding 18 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns over the course of the Bengals’ postseason run to the Super Bowl — including his 100-yard receiving, two-score performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

“Higgins capped off his season with a big game in the Super Bowl that ultimately fell short of securing the Bengals a ring,” Monson wrote. “His 100 receiving yards led all players from either side in the contest, but his 75-yard touchdown deserves an asterisk attached to it for the egregious no-call when he grabbed Jalen Ramsey’s facemask. Higgins benefited from Ja’Marr Chase dominating and taking attention away from him, and he is more than capable of taking advantage of those favorable matchups.”

Wilkins appeared not-too-far behind Higgins on the list at No. 72.

The 2019 first-round draft pick posted 89 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, four passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games this season.

“Seen as a big run-stuffing specialist, Wilkins enjoyed the best season of his career for Miami when it came to rushing the passer,” Monson wrote. “He registered 31 pressures and recorded a 70.4 pass-rushing grade, both career-best marks. His run defense was also excellent — but that was more expected. He racked up 43 defensive stops overall and played 734 snaps for the Dolphins up front.”

Reader, who, like Higgins, played a key role in the Bengals’ success this season, is ranked No. 87 in the PFF 101.

Reader started the Super Bowl for the Bengals and registered a sack in the third quarter, the second postseason sack of his career. During the regular season, he was credited with 43 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and seven quarterback hits. In the playoffs, he added 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and four quarterback hits.

“But for the occasional game in which he failed to make an impact, D.J. Reader was excellent this season,” Monson wrote. “He put up 28 defensive stops and 29 pressures, and was particularly good in the playoffs against the Tennessee Titans in a game that was balanced on a knife-edge and run defense was a key differentiator.”

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Wilkins takes home award at NFL Honors

On Thursday night, the 11th edition of NFL Honors was held at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles and aired live nationally on ABC. During the awards show highlighting accomplishments and the best moments from the 2021 NFL season, former Clemson …

On Thursday night, the 11th edition of NFL Honors was held at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles and aired live nationally on ABC.

During the awards show highlighting accomplishments and the best moments from the 2021 NFL season, former Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins won the “Bud Light Celly of the Year” for his “Worm” celebration in the Miami Dolphins’ Week 15 win over the New York Jets.

The third-year Dolphins defensive lineman went berserk after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass to give the Dolphins a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter of their eventual 31-24 victory over the Jets at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

After lining up as a fullback, running a shallow route past the goal line and then securing the touchdown reception from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Wilkins leaped into the stands before doing the “Worm” in the end zone, among other gestures, as his teammates danced around him.

You can see Wilkins’ award-winning celebration below:

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Christian Wilkins got some well-earned recognition at the NFL Honors

Best moves in the game.

The NFL held their award show, the “NFL Honors” on Thursday night that celebrates the season a few nights before the Super Bowl. At this annual event, they hand out the league’s MVP, Rookies of the Year, introduce that year’s Hall of Fame class, and much more.

One of the many awards given out throughout the night is the Bud Light “Celly of the Year” for best celebration, and this year, that award was given to Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

In a Week 15 matchup with the New York Jets, Wilkins lined up as a fullback in the red zone. He ran a route and brought in the second receiving touchdown of his career. Following the score, Wilkins jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans and hit an incredible worm dance that transitioned to breakdancing in the end zone.

It’s great to see the big man get the recognition he deserves for his moves.

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Grading the Miami Dolphins defensive linemen after their 2021 season

The big guys did their jobs.

The Miami Dolphins didn’t make the jump that many thought they could in 2021, as they ended the year with a 9-8 record and just outside the postseason.

During this time, it’s appropriate to reflect on the performances of the guys who impacted the outcomes on the field.

We’ll be going through different position groups over the next week or so and reviewing how they played in 2021. After starting with the rookies, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen, we’ll start the defense with the big men up front. These are the grades for the Dolphins defensive linemen during this campaign.