One of the best defensive tackles in the NFL looks to enter 2024 free agency as one of its best available players.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will reportedly not receive the franchise tag and reach free agency, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With the Dolphins struggling with cap space, the team may have to see one of its defensive stars sign with another team next week once free agency begins.
The 28-year-old Wilkins should have plenty of suitors around the league that are more than eager to land an immediate impact player for their defense.
While he could always still re-sign with the Dolphins, let’s break down five teams that make the most sense, including a handful of Super Bowl contenders.
The #Dolphins will not franchise tag standout DT Christian Wilkins, sources say, meaning the long-time pillar of Miami’s defense will be a free agent. Wilkins will be one of the top free agents regardless of position. pic.twitter.com/NWo4O2cwgl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2024
Houston Texans
With sensational young quarterback C.J. Stroud leading the charge, the Texans will be a popular playoff pick for the 2024 season. Some might even feel that Houston could contend for a Super Bowl.
Adding a player like Wilkins to that budding defensive front would only make that possibility stronger. The Texans have ample cap space ($70 million-plus) and a clear need at defensive tackle.
Signing Wilkins to a big deal would both be a wise allocation of money and a huge boost to Houston’s defense. It’d be a win-win for both parties.
Detroit Lions
While starting defensive tackle Benito Jones is a restricted free agent and could return to Detroit, it’s not hard to imagine the Lions dreaming of a world where Wilkins is starting opposite Alim McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson and John Cominsky. That’d give the Lions one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.
The Lions will need to do some work to stay atop the NFL as one of its most formidable Super Bowl contenders, and signing Wilkins would be a warning to the rest of the league that the Lions mean business in 2024 and beyond.
New England Patriots
Money talks, and no team in the NFL has more right now to spend in free agency than the Patriots. If Jerod Mayo wants to speed up the team’s rebuild, he could sign Wilkins away from their AFC East foes in the Dolphins and let him anchor a revamped defensive line.
In a bidding war, New England could hypothetically go as far as it wants, even to making Wilkins the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. It’d be a smart investment that would also make a divisional rival weaker.
Chicago Bears
The Bears look poised to land quarterback Caleb Williams at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft, and signing as many talented free agents for the duration of Williams’ rookie contract should be the priority for Chicago.
Signing Wilkins for a defensive line that added defensive end Montez Sweat last fall at the trade deadline would be a huge step in the right direction for a stout Bears defense. This could be an intriguing option for Wilkins.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals could be surprise contenders in the NFC next season if they draft elite wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. and get good play out of quarterback Kyle Murray.
Arizona’s defense was a pleasant surprise in 2024, and it’s hard not to imagine real improvement with a player like Wilkins joining the fold. The Cardinals have plenty of cap space to make the defensive tackle one of their crown jewels of the offseason. We bet coach Jonathan Gannon would love adding a player of Wilkins’ caliber to his ascending defense.
