Dolphins Q&A: Is Christian Wilkins next in line for multi-year extension?

byDuc Manh •April 15, 2022

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Right here’s the most recent installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, the place South Florida Solar Sentinel writers David Furones and Omar Kelly reply questions from readers.

Q: Is there any chatter a couple of Christian Wilkins extension? His draft class is gonna blow up the DT market — him, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver…can be a good suggestion to lock him in earlier than the opposite guys begin signing offers. — John Cronce on Twitter

A: There's such chatter, and across the time of the scouting mix in early March, a league supply advised the Solar Sentinel that a multi-year extension for Christian Wilkins is a aim earlier than using a fifth-year possibility by the Might 2 deadline.

Such a deal may make Wilkins one of many NFL’s 10 highest-paid defensive tackles.

Wilkins may very well set the marketplace for the opposite defensive tackles from the 2019 draft talked about extra so than they'd him, outdoors of perhaps the Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, who was a Professional Bowl choice final yr, a distinction Wilkins has but to attain.

Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver and Dexter Lawrence have been strong however not as constantly impactful as Wilkins, though Williams, the No. 3 choose in that draft to the New York Jets, has supplied essentially the most by way of move rush together with his 15 ½ sacks over three seasons, 13 previously two years. With the Payments, Oliver, additionally taken forward of Wilkins, has been a legal responsibility in run protection. Lawrence, with the Giants, has not fairly lived as much as his billing as a prime run-stopper.

Wilkins is coming off a 3rd NFL season the place he tied for the league lead in tackles amongst defensive linemen. His 89 tackles tied Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward for many final season, which was the very best mark for any down lineman since 2013. Ten of these tackles for Wilkins went for a loss.

“He had a heck of a yr final yr,” mentioned Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier when requested in regards to the probability of selecting up Wilkins’ fifth-year possibility. “I'd say more than likely, however we’ll make that call after we get to that.”

Wilkins, beginning each sport, additionally upped his move rush in 2021 with a career-high 4 ½ sacks, including 13 quarterback hits, 4 move deflections, a compelled fumble and fumble restoration — oh, and naturally, a landing reception with an epic celebration that adopted.

If Miami can’t get an extension completed earlier than the Might 2 deadline for exercising the fifth-year possibility, it might probably use the fifth-year possibility, guaranteeing the previous Clemson standout $10,069,000 in 2023, a determine that's primarily based on his enjoying time the previous three years and the common wage of the third by means of twentieth highest-paid defensive tackles.

A multi-year deal for Wilkins, who's slated to make $2.6 million in 2022, would probably earn him an annual wage within the $10-13 million vary. The fifth-year possibility, which is just out there for first-round picks, offers the Dolphins an additional season to get a deal completed, however a multi-year extension can be extra cap pleasant.

The Dolphins, after all, have had varied different maneuvers to prioritize this offseason earlier than coming round to Wilkins. They signed left deal with Terron Armstead, traded for receiver Tyreek Hill and added working backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds in free company amongst outdoors acquisitions. Miami gave cornerback Xavien Howard the extension he needed, re-signed defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah and positioned the franchise tag on tight finish Mike Gesicki, amongst strikes made to maintain prime returning gamers inside the group.

Have a query?

E-mail David Furones, or tag @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.