While Christian Wilkins’ future with the Miami Dolphins remains murky, there may still be a path for the defensive tackle to stay in South Florida.
Wilkins, a free agent this offseason, won’t be tagged by the Dolphins, but “lines of communication remain open” between the two sides, according to a report. A new deal isn’t out of the question.
We can add this to the Christian Wilkins news today: Though the Dolphins are not using the franchise tag on Wilkins, they remain very much open to his return if the sides can agree on a contract. Lines of communication remain open.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 5, 2024
Wilkins, who was drafted in the first round in 2019, has spent his entire career with the Dolphins. He has become a key part of Miami’s defensive attack and would be a difficult piece to replace if the squad were to lose him.
This past season, Wilkins set a new career-high with nine sacks. He also added 65 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits and two passes defended. For good measure, he forced one fumble and recovered two.
Reliability has been another strength of the 28-year-old. For three straight seasons, he hasn’t missed a regular season game. That’s a quality that makes him an attractive option for teams all over the NFL.
The Dolphins likely know that this is an important offseason for them, as they’re looking to build a roster that is capable of getting the organization its first playoff win since the 2000 campaign. Miami has made the postseason two years in a row but hasn’t come up with a playoff win in the process.
There has already been some buzz on the market for Wilkins around the league. The Dolphins may need to fight to keep him.
The coming weeks could shape how Miami approaches the 2024 NFL Draft. The Dolphins only have six picks this year, but they will have a first-round selection for the first time since 2021. That’s going to be an important pick, especially if the team uses it to try to fill a hole.
In the 2023 season, the Dolphins went 11-6 before fizzling out in the playoffs. The 2024 campaign will be their third under head coach Mike McDaniel. Fans are certainly anxious to see some more progress, and this offseason will likely offer some indications as to how likely a successful 2024 season is.
