Dolphins lose star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency
Christian Wilkins’ run as a Miami Dolphin is over after five seasons.
The 2019 first-round draft pick and foundational piece at the start of a rebuild that began that offseason is reportedly bound for the Las Vegas Raiders, agreeing to terms with them Monday afternoon, as NFL free agency opened up at noon.
The deal for the standout defensive tackle is reportedly worth $110 million over four years — a whopping $27.5 million per season — and $84.75 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
The NFL’s legal tampering period, when free agents can start negotiating with outside teams, began at noon Monday. Free agents can sign with a new team at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the start of the new league year.
The Dolphins allowed Wilkins to test the open market in free agency when they opted not to lock him in for the 2024 season on the franchise tag, which would’ve essentially been a one-year commitment for $22.1 million at the defensive tackle position.
The defensive tackle market was known to be robust after the Chiefs’ Chris Jones re-signed with Kansas City for five years and $158 million and the Ravens’ Justin Madubuike got $98 million over four seasons.
Miami was involved in attempts to sign Wilkins to a long-term deal dating back to the summer ahead of the 2023 season, when Wilkins was preparing to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Negotiations even resulted in a partial training camp hold-in between the standout defensive tackle and the organization, with him sitting out team portions of practice until he put contract talks aside to focus on the season.
Wilkins was always a reliable run defender that shed blockers and got to the ball carrier, but he still hadn’t shown the interior pass rush in his game until he exploded for nine sacks last season. That only increased his price tag as the two sides still could not reach an agreement this offseason before Wilkins hit free agency.
Wilkins, in his first five seasons, has 355 tackles, 20 ½ sacks, four forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and an interception.
The Dolphins will be looking for a replacement defensive tackle to put alongside Zach Sieler, whose contract was extended through 2026 before last season. They also have a hole at nose tackle, with Raekwon Davis a free agent.
Earlier Monday, the Dolphins also lost safety Brandon Jones to the Denver Broncos.
After Wilkins’ move out west, former Dolphins outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel agreed to leave Miami for the Vikings, whose defensive coordinator is ex-Miami coach Brian Flores.
Wheels were turning across the league Monday. With Wilkins one of the biggest names changing teams, quarterback Kirk Cousins, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
The first big-name agreement among scheduled free agents involved running back D’Andre Swift heading to the Chicago Bears. A second tailback was on the move shortly thereafter, with Tony Pollard bound for the Titans, who have Derrick Henry as a free agent. Fellow running back Josh Jacobs then went from the Raiders to the Green Bay Packers. Then, star running back Saquon Barkley stayed in the NFC East, from the Giants to the rival Eagles.
Among offensive linemen that might have interested the Dolphins, Buffalo center Mitch Morse agreed to terms with Jacksonville and Detroit guard Graham Glasgow agreed to stay with the Lions. His former teammate, guard Jonah Jackson, is headed to the Rams. Elsewhere on the offensive line for the Bills, left tackle Dion Dawkins agreed to an extension to stay with the team Monday.
Top free agent edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is going from the Texans to the Vikings, who have a void to fill with Danielle Hunter in free agency. Former Buffalo wide receiver Gabe Davis went to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Dolphins began Monday more than $25 million over the $255.4 million salary cap for 2024 once last week’s signing of tight end Jonnu Smith was accounted for. Smith was eligible to sign before the start of free agency because he was released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this offseason. Miami needs to be cap compliant by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The team got good news Sunday in finding out left tackle Terron Armstead is returning. It also brought back several of its own lower-priced free agents, re-signing guard Robert Jones and safety Elijah Campbell, a couple of possible restricted free agents, and re-signing cornerback Nik Needham and punter Jake Bailey.
Among the Dolphins’ top free agents that hit the open market in negotiations Monday and should receive early interest from teams, defensive lineman Christian Wilkins right guard Robert Hunt and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
The Dolphins released linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, cornerbacks Xavien Howard (with a post-June 1 designation) and Keion Crossen, and parted ways with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before hiring new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, the former Baltimore assistant head coach and defensive line coach.