The Minnesota Vikings lost one of the NFL’s best interior defenders when Dalvin Tomlinson left to join the Cleveland Browns. But what they lost in free agency last time around, the Vikings could gain in the coming offseason.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report on Friday, January 12, dubbed the Vikings among the top three landing spots for Miami Dolphins defensive tackle/end Christian Wilkins.
Given his production over the last few years, Wilkins will arguably be the top interior defender available in free agency. He’s able to impact the passing game, as evidenced by his 20.5 career sacks and 19 career passes defended. Also, he’s a quality run defender with a good grade from Pro Football Focus in that department this season and throughout his time in the NFL.
The five-year veteran should have no shortage of suitors on the open market, partially because he has the versatility to play as a defensive tackle in even fronts or at end for a team that primarily uses odd fronts.
Christian Wilkins Can Offer Vikings Interior Pass Rush to Help Replace Danielle Hunter if He Leaves
If he signs with Minnesota, Wilkins will play defensive end in the the team’s base 3-4 defense, which would still be an interior position as the Vikings’ pass rush is most often generated from the outside linebacker position.
The Vikings may need an influx of pass rushing on the edge and the interior if the team loses Danielle Hunter in the offseason. Hunter will hit free agency in March and one of the stipulations of his contract renegotiation last summer is that the team cannot utilize the franchise tag to keep him on the roster through the 2024 season on a lucrative one-year deal.
Hunter led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss in 2023, adding 41 quarterback pressures and 16.5 sacks, per Pro Football Reference. Spotrac projects his market value at $20 million annually over a new three-year contract.
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