It’s easy to view the Las Vegas Raiders as a big winner f the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period.
After all, in the aftermath of Chris Jones coming off the market and staying with the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders landed the prize of a premium position after agreeing to terms with former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
Beyond production, which Wilkins offers plenty of, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 draft’s arrival signals a new era has dawned for head coach Antonio Pierce’s Raiders.
“The Raiders remain a rebuilding team that is top-heavy with veteran salaries,” venerable NFL Reporter Mike Tanier writes for Too Deep Zone. “New general manager Tom Telesco had a habit of mistiming his spending with the Chargers: the current Chargers roster got old and expensive just as Justin Herbert reached his peak. There’s a chance that Wilkins is too-much, too-soon for a team with no real quarterback and needs all over the roster, in the same way that Davante Adams and Chandler Jones were two years ago.
“That said, a nine-win, 50-sack season would give the Raiders an identity besides that team that hires clueless big-name retread coaches. And a rugged defense can make life much easier for a rookie quarterback.”
More than that, Wilkins and Crosby give Telesco and Las Vegas a foundation to build on in a division that has Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert-sized roadblocks to postseason glory.
How Christian Wilkins can Impact Las Vegas Raiders
Championships are won along the line of scrimmage.
It’s easy to see, given Jones’ impact on the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense, the Philadelphia Eagles’ run of success in this era being built upon dominance along the offensive and defensive lines, and countless examples through league history the value of high-level play up front.
Wilkins gives the Las Vegas Raiders, alongside Maxx Crosby, the foundation of what could be an elite defensive line.
Last season, Wilkins produced 65 total tackles with nine sacks. Telesco and the Las Vegas Raiders are betting that Wilkins’ best football is in front of him, and playing next to Crosby just might hold the key to making that a reality.
Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb crushes Jets QB Zach Wilson for a sack fumble. Christian Wilkins got there first.
Zach Sieler recovers at Jets 1 and leads to TD. Great opening sequence for Miami defense: pic.twitter.com/lUCziT2HfH
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 17, 2023