Raiders GM Tom Telesco Talks Christian Wilkins Signing

Adding defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been the most significant move of Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco's first offseason with the Silver and Black.

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ most impactful acquisition of this offseason so far.

The interior defensive line was an area of the roster the Raiders needed to address, and they did so by adding one of the top defensive tackle free agents available.

Wilkins’ talent was just one of several factors that made him an appealing free agent for Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco and his team.

Telesco went into detail regarding his team’s interest in signing Wilkins when he joined the “2024 Raiders Free Agency Show.”

“As far as like the contract, that went pretty quickly, but the process really started from the day that I walked in the door,” Telesco said, “working with the pro staff and Dwayne Joseph on not just depth position, but all positions as far as how we’re going to look at free agency, who’s available, who fits us the best, how that works in our salary cap -- worked with Tom Delaney on that as far as how it kind of all fits into the big picture.

“And we saw Christian as a really unique opportunity because players like him usually don’t become available in free agency as far as a player in the prime of his career, has been healthy and durable throughout his career, which we’re going to hopefully continue -- that continues to happen. And great makeup and character and really has played a high level for four years.

“This wasn’t like a one-year contract guy. And he plays a position at the premier position -- it’s hard to find, it’s hard to find big people who have really great movement skills, explosiveness, can play the run and the pass. And what we’ve seen, now if you want to win your division in any division, you need to have a deep and talented defensive line, so he’s going to add to that group. 

“Really excited to get that done.”

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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