The Detroit Lions might just as easily add to their pass rush on the inside of their defensive line, despite the opinions of many pundits who believe the team should target edge rushers this offseason Chris Jones, a five-time All-Pro defensive lineman, and Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle with the Miami Dolphins, would both be logical choices.
All Lions’ on SI.com Christian Booher said that if Wilkins is available in NFL free agency, the Lions should give him some thought.
Booher stated that Wilkins is a versatile lineman who can make a significant contribution both against the run and the pass.
“Wilkins has the potential to make a significant impact and will be a valuable asset wherever he ends up. Given the requirements of the Lions, it would be a big deal that would indicate Detroit wants to contend for a Super Bowl.
Wilkins may still be assigned to the Dolphins by way of the franchise tag. However, Spotrac estimated that if he were to enter free agency, his market worth would be roughly $81 million for a four-year deal. Wilkins would receive an average of $20.2 million a year from such a contract.
Wilkins recorded a career-high nine sacks and twenty-three quarterback hits in the 2023 campaign. In addition, he recorded two pass defenses, one forced fumble, and ten tackles for loss.
The All Dolphins on SI.com Wilkins was hailed by Alain Poupart as a key component of Miami’s defense.
“Wilkins is a leader, a tone-setter on defense, and a foundational piece for the Dolphins,” Poupart wrote.
Will DT Christian Wilkins Receive the Franchise Tag from the Dolphins?
It was expected by Pro Football Focus’ free agent primer that Wilkins would receive the franchise tag from the Dolphins. On March 3, however, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated that Miami “probably won’t” franchise tag the seasoned defensive tackle.
“That would put a high-profile tackler who finished 2023 with 63 tackles and nine sacks on the market,” Fowler wrote.
The Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans were then mentioned by the ESPN insider as Wilkins’ top landing destinations.
The Texans, who have almost $70 million in salary cap room, are ranked sixth by Spotrac. With roughly $54.3 million in space, the Lions aren’t far behind in sixth place.
Compared to the Browns, who are currently just $2.4 million over the salary cap, that is significantly more.
Wilkins is anticipated to be available in free agency, but the Lions probably don’t want to engage in a bidding war. And the Lions have the ability to contract him if they desire him that much.
Wilkins’s Potential Fit with the Lions
Analysts predict that this offseason, the Lions will enhance at cornerback and edge rusher.Detroit ranked 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 27th in passing yards allowed at the end of the 2024 campaign.
Wilkins would improve the Lions pass rush even though he isn’t an edge rusher. Only two Lions defenders had more than three sacks in 2023: defensive lineman Elim McNeill and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Wilkins’ addition will provide the squad with even another outstanding pass-rushing option.
Wilkins will probably make it more difficult for rival defenses to double team Hutchinson, who was second in the NFL in pressures the previous season. Together, Wilkins and McNeill might be the league’s top defensive tackle combination.
Wilkins would also be a valuable addition to Detroit’s run defense, which finished 2023 rated second.
Wilkins was ranked 10th against the run out of 76 interior defensive lineman who saw at least 50% of his team’s defensive snaps in the previous season, by Pro Football Focus player grading.
Wilkins was selected by Miami with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to start his career. Since the start of the 2021 season, he has started every game for the Dolphins.
Wilkins has recorded 20 quarterback hits, 43 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks in 81 games over the course of five seasons. In addition, he has four forced fumbles and 19 pass defenses.
