What Christian Wilkins' next contract should look like
Christian Wilkins is one player on the Miami Dolphins that is due for a major pay day in the 2023 offseason. Wilkins, who was one of the NFL’s most egregious snubs for its inaugural Pro Bowl Games, was one of the league’s top defensive tackles in his fourth season in the league. While Wilkins is […]
Christian Wilkins is one player on the Miami Dolphins that is due for a major pay day in the 2023 offseason.
Wilkins, who was one of the NFL’s most egregious snubs for its inaugural Pro Bowl Games, was one of the league’s top defensive tackles in his fourth season in the league. While Wilkins is eligible for his fifth-year option on his rookie deal, he is looking to sign a much more lucrative extension in the coming months.
Wilkins led all defensive tackles in tackles (98), run stops (55), run-stop win rate (46%), and batted passes (7). His 16 tackles for loss ranked second, trailing Chiefs DT Chris Jones, who was named an All-Pro.
Wilkins’ emergence is going to cost the Dolphins a pretty penny, but it’s a cost the team should be willing to pay in order to keep an elite homegrown talent happy.
In fact, Spotrac projects Wilkins’ market value to be just north of $15 million per year. It’s a hefty price to pay for an interior defensive lineman, but it’s what Miami must do to keep its most impactful run-stopper in South Beach.
The Dolphins will be looking to make a handful of changes once free agency begins in March, but retaining Wilkins is an easy decision for general manager Chris Grier and the rest of Miami’s brass.
Featured image via Andres Leiva / PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
