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The Miami Dolphins have many big decisions to make this offseason. One of the biggest ones has apparently been made. The team will not be using the franchise tag on star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to NFL Media. He’s now set to become an unrestricted free agent and test the market.
Miami must clear $31.6 million in cap space before March 13 while facing a number of key players potentially leaving for free agency.
The 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is the latest Dolphins defender to be looking for a new home. Miami’s cuts of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard and edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah are projected to save the team over $30 million in cap space. The Dolphins signed Wilkins’ running mate on the defensive interior, Zach Sieler, to a three-year, $30.75 million extension last offseason, but the former first-round pick appears to not be getting the same kind of courtesy the former seventh-round selection did.
Wilkins, 28, is hitting the free agent market at the perfect time, after the best year of his five-season career. He nearly matched his career sack total from his first four seasons (11.5) in 2023 with a career-high 9.0. Wilkins was one of six defensive tackles to register at least nine sacks last season joining Pro Bowler Justin Madubike (13.0), All-Pro Chris Jones (10.5), Sieler (10.0), Ed Oliver (9.5) and Kobie Turner (9.0).
Christian Wilkins career
Sacks
11.5
9.0
QB Hits
27
23
QB Pressures
109
58
QB Pressure Pct
6.9%
11%
With the Dolphins doling out high-dollar deals to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (four years, $120 million), edge rusher Bradley Chubb (five years, $110 million), left tackle Terron Armstead (five years, $75 million) and acquiring cornerback Jalen Ramsey via trade (five years, $100 million, Miami appears to not have room for Wilkins in the budget. That doesn’t even factor in the looming extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/christian-wilkins-landing-spots-star-to-test-nfl-free-agency-as-dolphins-wont-franchise-tag-dt-per-report/
Author : Garrett Podell
Publish date : 2024-03-04 20:43:46
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