Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will become a free agent this offseason after the Miami Dolphins decided not to use the franchise tag on him, according to ESPN.
Wilkins is a tremendous force in the middle of the defense who could attract a sizable market from several NFL teams. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that he believes the Houston Texans could be one of those teams interested in signing Wilkins this offseason.
The reasons are simple: Houston has the salary cap space to offer Wilkins the contract he desires, can afford to spend lavishly at the position because of C.J. Stroud’s rookie quarterback contract and needs a top-flight interior defensive lineman. Wilkins finished the 2023 season with nine sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for a loss and 65 combined tackles. His sacks and quarterback hits were both carer-highs for the 28-year-old former No. 13 overall pick of Clemson.
Very, very scary football player if DeMeco Ryans adds him to the defense https://t.co/zsJQvOPWVO
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) March 3, 2024
Wilkins’ market value, according to Spotrac, is a four-year, $80.9 million deal. That $20 million average annual salary would put him in the top-10 at the position – just above the Washington Commanders’ Jonathan Allen and just below the San Francisco 49ers’ Javon Hargrave.
The Texans need a defensive tackle with Sheldon Rankins one of the teams’ several impending internal free agents. Houston and Rankins have mutual interest in a reunion, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, though, and the Texans have been linked to several interior defensive lineman prospects with the No. 23 overall pick in the draft.
Wilkins would be a splashy free agent signing for general manager Nick Caserio, if he wants to go down that route this offseason.