Texans and Vikings Eyeing Defensive Tackle Christian Wilkins…
Christian Wilkins, having surpassed the franchise tag deadline, is poised to become one of this year’s premier free agents. His decision to bet on himself in 2023 appears to be nearing fruition, especially with the Ravens opting to franchise-tag Justin Madubuike.
If the Chiefs manage to re-sign Chris Jones before the eleventh hour, Wilkins stands a significant chance to emerge as the top defender available this year. As we approach the legal tampering period in four days, two potential landing spots have surfaced for the five-year veteran of the Dolphins’ defensive line.
According to predictions from several general managers, the Texans are likely to secure Wilkins during this year’s signing period, as reported by Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. However, the Vikings, as mentioned by KSTP’s Darren Wolfson on SKOR North, are also expected to express interest in the former first-round pick, particularly given his strong performance as a run defender and pass rusher in 2023.
Ranked fourth on the list of top 50 free agents by PFR, Wilkins has a strong connection to the Vikings through second-year Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores, who previously served as the Dolphins head coach, selected Wilkins as his first draft choice in 2019 and coached him for three years. The Vikings have struggled with interior defensive line pressure for many seasons, and Wilkins could significantly boost their pass-rushing capabilities, potentially exceeding the nine sacks he tallied in 2023.
The Texans, led by GM Nick Caserio, have an intriguing opportunity to bolster their roster. While Caserio has been cautious with expensive deals in his first two years, the presence of rookie contracts for players like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson could enable more aggressive spending. Pairing a dynamic defensive tackle like Wilkins with Anderson could significantly improve Houston’s defense, especially considering Wilkins’ strong performance in run defense and his career-high 23 quarterback hits in 2023 under Vic Fangio’s coaching.
With $70 million in cap space, the Texans have more financial flexibility compared to the Vikings, who have $37 million in cap space. However, Minnesota faces complexities, such as the potential departure of Kirk Cousins triggering a substantial dead money hit, as well as negotiations with edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who may explore free agency given past issues with his contract.
As for the Dolphins, they find themselves in a tighter cap situation, and despite attempts to retain Wilkins, time is running out after they opted not to franchise-tag him. By entering the market, Wilkins is positioned to command a salary on par with his 2019 first-round peers who signed extensions last year, such as Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, and Dexter Lawrence.
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