Christian Wilkins was but one of many tag day casualties. Miami’s first round pick in 2019 has evolved into one of the league’s best at his position.
Wilkins, like many others this offseason, will now test the open market for the first time.
Christian Wilkins Landing Spot #1: Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are truly building something special. A team very few expected to be competitive in 2023, rookie sensation C.J. Stroud led a Houston revival few could have seen. Stroud took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, while his fellow 2023 draftee Will Anderson Jr. claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. These top flight rookies lead the way for Houston’s 10-7 AFC South winning squad.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans loves to focus on interior pressure. The 11th-ranked scoring defense, headed by both Ryans and DC Matt Burke, combined for 41.5 total sacks in 2023. Jonathan Greenard, who may soon be sharing the front lines with Christian Wilkins, collected 12.5 of those sacks.
Wilkins will also have a link to one current Texans player. All-Pro Offensive Tackle Laremy Tunsil was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, from 2016 to 2018, however he was traded before Wilkins’s rookie campaign began. To challenge further in the AFC, Wilkins would be a significant pickup for a Texans team that is on the rise.
Vikings Should Also Compete for Wilkins’s Services
Christian Wilkins has a link to current Vikings DC Brian Flores. Wilkins played under Flores while Flores coached the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, before current HC Mike McDaniel took over. It’s a weird offseason to be a Vikings fan, however, as Kirk Cousins may leave to fly with the Atlanta Falcons. Justin Jefferson, star receiver, is also on shaky ground but is likelier to remain in the purple and gold.
Still, Kevin O’Connell’s unit is just one full season removed from having won 13 games in 2022, and to return to the postseason will only require some minor re-tooling, that is to say that Kirk Cousins needs to return to the club first. Should Cousins decide to not return to Minnesota, they will actively pursue any one of the top four quarterbacks in April’s draft–and three may already be gone by the time they come up at 11th overall.
Christian Wilkins would alleviate a need to draft a defensive tackle later on in the draft.
Raiders Will Also Have Interest in Christian Wilkins
Despite their glaring need at the QB position, Defensive Tackle is also a sore spot for the team that finished 5-4 after a 3-5 start in 2023. Current coach Antonio Pierce knows a lot about how to generate pressure from the front lines, as he was present for the Giants’ run to their Super Bowl 42 championship. Much as is the case in Minneapolis, the Raiders have a clear need to draft a quarterback, as Jimmy Garoppolo is past his prime, while Aidan O’Connell will not be the answer for the Raiders.
Christian Wilkins would be an immediate benefit to pair up with Maxx Crosby, and give Las Vegas a commanding defensive line presence, something the team has lacked for decades.