The Las Vegas Raiders formed one of potentially the NFL's most disruptive pass-rush duos in the early stages of the legal tampering period, landing a blockbuster free agent in Christian Wilkins.
After agreeing to terms with top free agent defensive lineman Christian Wilkins on a colossal four-year contract worth $110 million, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Raiders now get to pair the emerging superstar interior lineman alongside All-Pro Maxx Crosby.
As Rapoport points out, Wilkins' deal includes $84.75 million guaranteed.
Splash: One of the top free agents is off the market, as #Dolphins star DT Christian Wilkins is headed to the #Raiders, sources say.
He gets a 4-year deal worth $110M base value that includes $84.75M guaranteed in a contract done by @DavidMulugheta of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/aKwKFIfU5T
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
Wilkins, chosen by the Raiders with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has emerged as one of the NFL's most dominant interior pass-rushers while also being a stalwart against the run. Last season, Wilkins posted a career-high nine sacks while adding 65 total tackles.
As Pro Football Focus points out, Wilkins added 58 pressures, en route to a 72.8 pass-rush grade and 74.9 overall mark, emerging as the outlet's No. 29 ranked interior defensive lineman in the league.
During a stellar 2023 campaign, Wilkins finished ranked No. 13 in pass-rush-win-rate, according to ESPN, despite drawing double-teams on 65 percent of his snaps for the Miami Dolphins.
Last season, the Raiders produced the league's 14th-most sacks, with 46, while finishing 21st against the run, underscoring the need for a player of Wilkins' caliber on defense.
Wilkins' signing signals a new era for the Raiders, under head coach Antonio Pierce, who won over the Las Vegas locker room during his stretch as interim head coach in the latter stages of the 2023 season. Dropping Wilkins, and his 20.5 career sacks through his first five seasons, alongside Crosby, forms a worthy counterpunch to elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the loaded AFC West.
