The Las Vegas Raiders made a significant offseason move by signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract. Despite the hefty price tag, Wilkins proved his worth last season with 9.0 sacks, establishing himself as a top defensive tackle.
Pairing Wilkins with star defensive end Maxx Crosby strengthens the Raiders’ defensive line. However, not everyone supports this decision. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report predicted the team might regret investing so heavily in Wilkins.
“The 28-year-old Wilkins isn’t a game-changer,” Gagnon wrote in a June 19 column. “He’s never been an All-Pro or even a Pro Bowler, and his stats—never hitting double digits in approximate value or reaching 10 sacks—don’t justify the over $30 million cap hit in 2025, 2026, and 2027.”
Pro Football Focus ranked Wilkins as the 10th-best defensive tackle in the NFL. While this ranking may not justify his $27.5 million annual salary, it does highlight his talent. Playing alongside Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, and Tyree Wilson, Wilkins is expected to enhance his performance.
**Christian Wilkins Impressing Las Vegas Raiders**
Though future regret is possible, the Raiders are currently pleased with Wilkins’ early showing. His work ethic and athleticism have made a positive impression.
“He’s a worker, so I love having guys that are like-minded around,” Crosby said on June 11. “We’re feeding off each other’s energy. We love football and that’s really all that matters.”
Head coach Antonio Pierce also praised Wilkins.
“We had some team bonding playing basketball with the [Las Vegas] Aces,” Pierce shared on June 10. “You know who the best player was? Christian Wilkins. Not even close. This 300-pound man dunking was impressive. But more importantly, his love, leadership, passion, and desire to win stand out.”
