Christian Wilkins could be headed for free agency.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that the Miami Dolphins “probably” won’t place the franchise tag on the defensive tackle, which would allow him to hit the open market. Fowler listed the Houston Texans as a potentially “intriguing” destination and also linked the Cleveland Browns as one of “several teams” that could be interested.
The Clemson product has been a consistent force in the middle of Miami’s defense since it selected him with a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft and posted a career-high nine sacks in 2023.
It was his first time with more than 4.5 sacks in a season, although he tallied a career-best 98 tackles in 2022 and is someone who consistently faces double teams in the middle of the line that open up lanes and opportunities for his teammates elsewhere.
Wilkins also had 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble while appearing in all 17 games and helping lead the Dolphins to the playoffs last season.
That multiple teams would be interested comes as no surprise, especially since he is 28 years old and figures to continue producing at a high level in the immediate future.
Houston is coming off a playoff appearance with a window to add elite talent while quarterback C.J. Stroud is under a rookie contract. Pairing Wilkins with reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. would be a nightmare for opposing offenses that couldn’t realistically double both along the line of scrimmage.
Such a pairing could unlock Anderson even further after he finished his first year in the NFL with seven sacks.
The same could be said in Cleveland as well, which features arguably the best defensive player in the entire league in Myles Garrett. Playing with Garrett could allow Wilkins to build on his own career-best sack totals, as opposing offenses almost always have to double team the defensive end to avoid him wrecking the game plan.
Miami is also coming off a playoff appearance and would have a significant hole along its defensive front if Wilkins went elsewhere, so the defensive tackle has plenty of leverage if the Dolphins decide not to place the tag on him.
