Did Ravens' Madubuike Just Set Christian Wilkins' market?
Justin Madubuike was an absolute monster last season, producing 13 of his 21.5 career sacks and earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
His breakout season also earned the Baltimore Ravens standout one of the largest defensive tackle contracts this week, and it's probably the deal that Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and his camp will use as a benchmark, attempting to get past it when the free agent negotiating period officially begins for NFL teams Monday.
The 26-year-old defensive tackle, whom Baltimore placed a franchise tag on earlier this week, committing $22.1 million in guaranteed money to him, agreed to a four-year contract extension, the Ravens announced Friday.
According to ESPN, the deal is worth $98 million, with $75.5 million reportedly coming in guarantees and $53.5 million due at signing.
Did Madubuike set a new bar?
Without the exact figures being provided, based on contract history it's safe to assume that Madubuike will be paid his $53.5 million over the first three years of the deal in base salary, signing bonus, roster bonuses and workout bonuses. And another portion of the contract is likely guaranteed for injury afterward and/or becomes guaranteed after the third year of the deal begins.
Considering most NFL players rarely see the final years of the second contract they signed, it's reasonable to assume that Madubuike deal won't really pay him an average salary of $24.5 million. That's likely just the figure being used to artificially inflate the contract, which is the norm.
But if Madubuike is pulling in close to $19-21 million a season in actual dollars entering his bank account, he'll be on par with the contracts numerous upper-echelon defensive tackles signed last year, and that's the company Wilkins, a five-year starter for the Dolphins, intends to keep.
Wilkins' market value, according to spotrac, was placed at $20.2 million annually, and if that's extrapolated out the guaranteed money should be in the $60 million neighborhood.
Aaron Donald’s three-year, $95 million contract, which he signed in 2022, made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
His contract averages out to just under $32 million a season, and it's possible that Chris Jones' next deal will be somewhere in that neighborhood, whether it's with the Kansas City Chiefs or elsewhere. Like Wilkins, Jones is also a free agent heading into Monday's negotiation period.
What did last year's DT deals look like?
Javon Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who turned 31 last month, was the last free agent defensive tackle who switched teams after signing a pace-setting contract this time last year.
Last offseason Hargrave left the Philadelphia Eagles to join the San Francisco 49ers, who signed him to a four-year deal that could be worth $81 million. But only $40 million of that deal, which spans over the first two seasons, was guaranteed.
Hargrave earns $20 million a season for 2023 and 2024, and his 2025 salary of $20.7 million is an option year for the team, as is his 2026 salary of $22.5 million.
Jeffery Simmons got a five-year, $104.7 million deal from the Tennessee Titans last offseason. He’ll make $19.7 million a year over the first three years of the deal, which is all that should be counted for now because that’s when the guaranteed money expires. Simmons also has a chance to earn $1.25 million in per game roster bonuses ($24,500 per game).
Quinnen Williams, who signed an extension shortly before the 2023 season started, might have landed the biggest deal (five-year, $105 million) for a defensive tackle from the New York Jets, he’ll earn $18.5 million a year for the first three seasons. That doesn’t include the $2.7 million he can earn in per game roster bonuses ($53,000 per game) the next three seasons.
Washington's Daron Payne got the best deal of all the recently extended defensive tackles. He's making $22.1 million a season over the first three years of the four-year, $90 million deal, which guaranteed him $60 million. He has the potential to earn another $1M for per game roster bonuses.
And New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence’s five-year, $100.7 million deal will pay him $18.9 million a season for the first three years, with the potential to earn an extra $2 million in per game bonuses in 2024 and 2025 ($58,823 a game).
Dolphins not giving up on Wilkins
Even though Miami's cap constraints didn't allow the Dolphins to use the franchise or transition tag to prevent Wilkins from becoming an unrestricted free agent, the Dolphins intend to be bidders for Wilkins' services.
However, there's a laundry list of teams that could use a reliable, veteran leader like Wilkins, and expect the bidding to be fierce. If the Dolphins lose out on Wilkins' services, don't be surprised if they turn their attention to other veteran defensive tackles on the market, players like Leonard WIlliams, D.J. Reader, Da'Quan Jones, Sheldon Rankins and Justin Jones.
Even though the Dolphins signed two defensive tackles this week, adding Isaiah Mack and Daviyon Nixon, there will be a massive hole in Miami's defensive front if Wilkins leaves, and it's likely that finding a 300-pound run stuffer will be atop the Dolphins' positions to address in free agency and the draft.
