One of the Best Linebackers in Today’s Game Signs to the Raiders

Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins has shown why he’s one of the best players at his position in today’s game. After a career year, Wilkins helped the Dolphins make the playoffs as the AFC’s fifth seed. Although they lost in one of the coldest playoff games in NFL history, the Dolphins showed us in 2023 why they could be a top-tier team in the near future. Now a free agent, this monstrous defensive lineman has just agreed to a four-year deal worth up to 110 million dollars with almost 85 million being guaranteed by the the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Christian Wilkins played four years at Clemson University, winning two College Football National Championships in 2016, and 2018. He won the Bill Willis Trophy in 2017 and the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2018. Also, he was a unanimous All-American in 2018 as well. Wilkins was selected in the first round as the 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since coming into the league, Christian has progressively gotten better. During the 2022 season, Wilkins recorded a career-high of 98 tackles. In 2023, he had nine sacks which was a new career-high passing his four and a half sacks in 2021. 

Wilkins played in all 17 games during the 2023 season. He had 65 combined tackles, 27 assisted tackles, and 38 solo tackles. Christian Wilkins tackled for a loss ten times, while sacked opponent quarterbacks nine times, with two pass deflections. His best game of the season was during a 42-24 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers. This up-and-coming linebacker had two solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two tackles for a loss of yardage, and two sacks. For his career, Wilkins has 355 tackles, 20 and a half sacks, six fumble recoveries,19 pass deflections, and one interception. He will certainly make the Raiders defense a whole lot better than it was, as he has a chance to be one of the game’s best linemen.