Cardinals Miss Out on Top Free Agency Target
ARIZONA -- There was hope the Arizona Cardinals could make a big splash in free agency and sign Christian Wilkins.
It's the hope that kills you.
According to reports, Wilkins - viewed as one of the top free agents on the market - is signing a four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders that includes almost $85 million guaranteed.
Wilkins is coming off a career season with the Miami Dolphins and now has quite the paycheck as a result.
Wilkins was viewed as the Cardinals' top free agency target, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss:
"Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins is considered a 'high' priority for Arizona, a source told ESPN, but he may command more than the Cardinals are willing to spend," he wrote.
"Defensive lineman like Leonard Williams, DJ Reader, Grover Stewart or even Sheldon Rankins could be possibilities for Arizona."
The Cardinals desperately need help along the defensive line, and the 28-year-old was thought to be a perfect fit for what Arizona wants to do.
Wilkins, fresh off a nine-sack season that also included 23 quarterback hits, is just the latest big man to be paid, following in the footsteps of Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike already this offseason.
The Cardinals entered free agency with $56 million in cap space according to Over The Cap.
They've signed L.J. Collier, Trystan Colon, Jesse Luketa and Carter O'Donnell thus far while also tendering Greg Dortch.
