The Minnesota Vikings are in terrible shape defensively, but luckily for them, Christian Wilkins, a star player for the Miami Dolphins, would gladly come to Minnesota.
The Vikings are reportedly showing “strong and mutual interest” in Wilkins, one of the best defensive interior linemen available when free agency opens on Wednesday, March 13, according to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson on March 10.
“A very lucrative market is anticipated for Christian Wilkins, a free agent with the Dolphins. According to league sources, Wilkins, who has 20 1/2 career sacks, including a career-high nine last season, is anticipated to draw interest from a number of teams, including the #Texans and #Vikings. Wilson posted on X (previously Twitter).
The No. 13 overall pick in 2019, Wilkins was Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ first draft selection as the Dolphins’ head coach from 2019 to 2021.
When the window for legal tampering opens on Monday, March 11 at 11 a.m. CT, Alec Lewis of The Athletic claimed that Wilkins is a “top priority” for the Vikings.
Christian Wilkins Expected to Garner Over $100 Million Contract
The Vikings have been missing a dominant defensive lineman in the middle since Linval Joseph left in 2020. Cap constraints have kept the Vikings from splurging at the position, and there has yet to be an impactful investment in the draft.
Wilkins could fill that void left by Joseph and be a renaissance man for a Vikings fan base that has watched the likes of Alan Page, John Randle and the Williams brothers dominate on the defensive front.
However, defensive interior line has become a premier position on defense given the top interior defenders proving to be stout against the run and some of the league’s most dominant pass rushers.
With a five-year contract worth a guaranteed $95 million over the first three years, Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Jones recently became the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. Meanwhile, Justin Madubuike signed a four-year, $98 million contract worth $75.5 million with the Baltimore Ravens.
Wilkins, who finished the previous season with 10 sacks and 58 pressures, is not an exception to the potential needs for obtaining a powerful player in the middle.Wilkins is expected to sign a four-year, $100 million contract with an average annual value of $25 million, according to PFF’s free-agency report. Wilkins set career highs in every pass-rushing category this season, including pass-rush win rate, pressure rate, sacks, quarterback hits, and pressures. The report also states that Wilkins is as good a run defender as any interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
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