Potential Landing Spots for Veteran DT Christian Wilkins

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ICARO Media Group
News
04/03/2024 22h44

With the Miami Dolphins prioritizing big-money deals for key players and the looming extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it seems that defensive tackle Christian Wilkins may find himself headed elsewhere. Let's take a look at some potential landing spots for the veteran lineman.

First on the list is the Chicago Bears, who enter free agency with a healthy amount of cap space, $66.6 million to be exact. The Bears, known for their strong run defense, allowed only 86.4 rushing yards per game last season. However, they struggled in generating quarterback pressure, ranking third-worst in the league with a pressure rate of 31.2% and accumulating just 30 team sacks. Wilkins, renowned for his run-stuffing abilities and a Pro Football Focus grade of 71.5 in run defense, could bolster the Bears' defensive front and provide a much-needed boost to their pass rush.

Another potential destination for Wilkins is the Indianapolis Colts, who possess $66.1 million in effective cap space this offseason. The Colts had a noticeable weakness in run defense, giving up an average of 123.8 rushing yards per game in 2023, ranking 24th in the league. With a 32.3% pressure rate, which was the seventh-lowest in the league, Indianapolis could greatly benefit from Wilkins' expertise in stopping the run and his potential contributions to their pass rush. The team's ability to throw money around, coupled with their need to improve on defense, makes Wilkins a sound investment.

Lastly, the Las Vegas Raiders, led by new defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce, are looking to bolster their defensive front after ranking 21st in run defense last season, allowing an average of 118.5 rushing yards per game. Despite the presence of edge rusher Maxx Crosby, the Raiders struggled to generate consistent pressure, posting a below-average pressure rate of 35.1%. Wilkins' addition could address both areas of concern and provide much-needed support alongside Crosby.

As Wilkins explores potential landing spots, teams with cap space and defensive needs, such as the Bears, Colts, and Raiders, are likely to emerge as front-runners. With his strong run-stuffing abilities and potential impact on the pass rush, Wilkins could prove to be a valuable addition to any of these teams, as they seek to strengthen their defensive units and vying for success in the upcoming season.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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