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One of the players who wasn’t expected to be available when the NFL free agency period kicks off in a few days. And it’s a player the Detroit Lions should have some interest in acquiring.
Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Miami Dolphins are not expected to use the franchise tag on standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Miami has some salary cap issues that complicate any potential tag usage. That will make him a free agent, able to sign with any team when the free agent period opens on March 13th.
Wilkins jumps to the top group of the available defensive linemen. The 28-year-old Clemson product logged a career-high nine sacks in 2023. A first-round pick in 2019, Wilkins produced 98 total tackles and 3.5 sacks for Miami in 2022. He’s not missed a game in three years.