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Christian Wilkins released — 5 intriguing destinations for the D-lineman

The Las Vegas Raiders shocked the NFL world by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, a guy they had just signed to a four-year, $110 million deal last year.

Wilkins broke his foot last season, missing all but five games in 2024. Apparently, the skinny is that the Raiders wanted Wilkins to have surgery on his foot, but Wilkins refused, allowing Vegas to void the remaining $35 million of guaranteed money on his contract.

Now, while the 29-year-old clears up his health issues and deals with the falling out with the Raiders, our guy Kyle Crabbs has put together a list of five teams that could be fitting destinations for Wilkins. Here’s what he came up with:

Los Angeles Chargers: “The Chargers were the interior defensive line unit that I selected yesterday in an exercise aimed at assembling an anti-All Star roster. Otito Ogbonnia, Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand and Jamaree Caldwell would all greatly benefit from the presence of a name like Wilkins being added atop the depth chart. He's the kind of player you'd have to assume Jim Harbaugh would absolutely love and he'd be getting the chance to play for a contender in 2025 on what we're assuming is a short-term deal to overlap with when he's getting paid by Las Vegas.”

San Francisco 49ers: “San Francisco underwent a major overhaul and youth movement on the defensive front. The team drafted Alfred Collins and CJ West with meaningful draft choices while offloading big salary numbers amid a cap transition. The 49ers, in the world in which Las Vegas ends up needing to pay him guarantees, has the cost issue alleviated for them and then must ask themselves if they believe Wilkins is an asset or an blockade amid trying to develop their young players at the position.”

Houston Texans: “Wilkins was at his best in Miami in 2023 on a fearsome front that featured Bradley Chubb, Zach Sieler, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jaelan Phillips, and more. Few teams could give Wilkins that much support around him in 2025, but the Houston Texans can. DeMeco Ryans' defense feels like it's really missing one thing — a disruptor inside capable of what Wilkins has on his resume. This might be the most terrifying scheme/talent fit of any of the options across the league.”

Atlanta Falcons: “While few teams could give Wilkins a supporting cast like the Texans, few teams have invested in their defensive line in recent years like the Falcons. It's been a pretty stunning stretch of big investments by Atlanta and the team is still hoping to see it all come together. Putting a name like Wilkins into the heart of the defense to both mentor the young players and, hopefully, be the impact player Atlanta has been seeking up front, would be a win on multiple fronts.”

Minnesota Vikings: “The Vikings already overhauled their defensive interior this offseason by signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But in the world in which the Raiders end up needing to pay out Wilkins and the team is looking at a minimum salary contract in 2025, reuniting Wilkins with the coach who drafted him, Brian Flores, makes a ton of sense.

“Wilkins didn't have the best sack production under Flores in Miami thanks in part to the philosophy up front and the nature of Flores' defense, but few places could offer a destination that would feel as familiar as Minnesota, especially given he'd be reunited with former teammate Andrew Van Ginkel as well.”

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A to Z’s positional rankings: Top 20 QBs

Our top 20 positional series at A to Z continues, with the league’s most important position as this week’s focus. Our staffers ranked the top 20 quarterbacks in the NFL — here are some notables:

No. 20 — Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: “Throughout his rookie year, Williams went through two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators while playing behind a shaky at-best offensive line. The results weren't pretty, but when it mattered most, Williams showed some of the flashes the Bears were looking to see out of him. Going into Year 2, the Bears revamped the offensive line, added even more playmakers, and signed the top offensive-minded head coach to bring out the best in his game. His ranking next year is sure to be much higher, but still ranking in the top 20 after all that happened is impressive in itself.” —Kole Noble

No. 13 — Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “The person has settled down, but the arm, the accuracy, the poise, and the leadership have all leveled up. Mayfield's 2024 numbers are downright guady. Completing over 70% of his passes en route to 4,500 passing yards and over 40 TDs, Mayfield is more than capable of being a top 10 player at the position. Having just turned 30 only 100 days ago, there is a chance Mayfield continues to improve in pewter." —Rob Gregson

No. 10 — Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: “As long as he can remain healthy, Prescott can play the QB position at a high level thanks to his superior processing. The biggest question mark moving forward is how mobile can he be following another leg injury? Since 2020, Prescott has suffered ankle, calf, and hamstring injuries, which have impacted his ability to run. In 2025, Prescott will have the most talented WR duo he's had in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Let's see if he capitalizes on it." —Mauricio Rodriguez

No. 5 — Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: “Herbert ran the ball more often than any other year of his career in 2024, and I won’t be surprised if he eclipses that total in 2025. As for his talent through the air, Herbert is consistently accurate. His on target rate has never dipped below 75% in his NFL career. Not to mention, he’s one of the most gifted deep ball passers in football. Herbert averaged the most yards per passing attempt of his career last season, even while averaging the least yards per game of his career so far – due to a more balanced attack from LA. Only three interceptions all season, too.

“Herbert and the Bolts need to achieve more consistent team success and find themselves in a playoff run this season, but there aren’t many QBs you’re taking over the Chargers’ starter when looking to the future." —Adam Holt

No. 2 — Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: “Allen accounted for a total of 40 touchdowns and just six interceptions last season, as he navigated with a depleted receiving corps and a running game that struggled to stay consistent. His play is the biggest reason for their appearance in the AFC Championship Game, and he's far from the reason they have yet to get over the hump. Nobody in the NFL has the combination of elite arm talent and production, as Anthony Richardson is the only one who can match the former.

“This feels like a Peyton Manning situation, where Allen will eventually slay his Tom Brady in Patrick Mahomes, and when it happens, it'll be an incredible moment." —Tyler Forness

No. 1 — Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: “Sure, he’s coming off a no-good, rotten season where he threw a career-worst 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions (numbers that some would beg for). But realize that he had a revolving door at left tackle, where the team’s best option by season’s end was their starting left guard. Injuries to Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice upended the passing game. Mahomes struggled to connect in the deep passing game with rookie WR Xavier Worthy, missing on numerous throws 20-plus yards downfield. Yet, he still managed to do enough with what he had to get his team a historical shot at a third consecutive Super Bowl.

“Mahomes and the team fell short, but that’s exactly why everyone should be so scared heading into the 2025 NFL season. Mahomes knows where he faltered a season ago and where he needs to be better, and the team believes they’ve provided him and the offense with the tools they need to be successful." —Charles Goldman

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