NFL Execs Dissect Raiders' Free Agency Splash

The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the most notable moves in free agency by signing veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

The signing made it clear the Raiders plan on solidifying their defense, starting with the defensive line. The move also gave the Raiders one of the best defensive lines in the National Football League.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Voter Mike Sando spoke with multiple NFL executives around the league about the Raiders’ addition of Wilkins. 

“It’s clear the Raiders have a plan for Christian Wilkins beyond handing him a contract worth $27.5 million per year, highest for any non-quarterback signed as a free agent," Sando wrote before diving into what executives had to say about the signing. "Still, it’s a lot of money.”

One executive believes the Raiders are hoping the combination of Wilkins with their already talented defensive line will ensure Wilkins has similar success with the Raiders as he did with the Miami Dolphins.

“What helped make Wilkins so good in Miami was he had Jaelan Phillips on one side and Bradley Chubb on the other,” the unnamed executive said. “That left him and [Zach] Sieler working against three men inside, and those guys did a great job working off one another. Vegas is trying to replicate what Wilkins had with Sieler by bringing back John Jenkins and Adam Butler.”

Sando said another executive questioned "whether the Raiders had to pay Wilkins that much to get him, or whether they simply identified a player they had to have and paid him."

“Going into free agency, there were only three of them,” another executive said of the top defensive tackles. “There was Chris Jones, who was going back to K.C., there was Madubuike, who re-signed with Baltimore, and then Wilkins. And then from a cap casualty standpoint, Armstead was going to be available. All those guys got paid because everybody needs interior help, and there are only a few in the draft that you love. So, not a surprise.”

Wilkins played his first five NFL seasons with the Dolphins, who drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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