In March, the Las Vegas Raiders signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract, making a huge splash as a free agency.
One of the NFL’s top defensive tackles, the former Clemson Tiger had a stellar 2023 year. Wilkins played all 17 games for the third straight season, recording a career-high nine sacks and 58 quarterback pressures.
Even though Wilkins is anticipated to play a key role in the defense of Las Vegas in 2024, general manager Tom Telesco, according to Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, will regret giving the defensive tackle a large contract during the free agency period.
Gagnon discussed Wilkins and the reasons the Raiders might regret his $110 million contract as follows:
Wilkins, who is 28 years old, isn’t a revolutionary. He has never recorded an estimated value in the double digits, been an All-Pro of any type, or even been a Pro Bowl player. He has also never had a season with more than two forced fumbles or 10 sacks. Even yet, in 2025, 2026, and 2027, he will have more than $30 million against the cap.
According to Over the Cap, Christian Wilkins is now the NFL’s third-highest paid defensive tackle. Even though Wilkins’s $110 million contract, of which $82.75 million is guaranteed, is excessive, he is still in his prime and has the ability to improve this season.
Playing next to Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce will help the former Miami Dolphin because the two edge defenders will draw a lot of attention from opposing teams, which will put Wilkins in advantageous one-on-one situations on the interior. Although he has always been a strong run defender, the former first-round pick improved his pass-rushing ability past season.
In a few years, Wilkins’ contract might seem like an overpay; nonetheless, Telesco may have made a brilliant move by signing him. In order to help the Raiders’ defense reach new heights in 2024, Wilkins has the opportunity to establish himself as a game-ending force on the defensive line and team up with Maxx Crosby in a lethal tandem.