Christian Wilkins Signs Huge Deal With Raiders; Texans Impact?
The Houston Texans will have to turn elsewhere in landing a marquee defensive tackle.
According to reports, the Las Vegas Raiders and former Miami Dolphins star Christian Wilkins have agreed to terms on a four-year, $110 million deal, $84.75 million of which is guaranteed. Sources told TexansDaily.com that there was mutual interest from both sides in coming together for a long-term deal.
Drafted 13th overall out of Clemson in 2019, Wilkins was a staple for five seasons in the Dolphins' front seven as one of the league's better run defenders but turned it up a notch in the pass-rushing department this season with nine sacks.
Wilkins has finished with a 73.4 grade or higher mark as a run defender, per Pro Football Focus, since 2020.
Miami knew with an extension coming to franchise quarterback Tua Tagoviloa that Wilkins likely would be headed elsewhere. The Minnesota Vikings, Detriot Lions and Texans were viewed as front-runners to land the 28-year-old, but the Raiders wanted to make a splash under new head coach Antonio Pierce.
USA Today/Sports
He'll now join forces with All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, plus former Texas Tech star Tyree Wilson, as Las Vegas looks to return to the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Houston could pivot its attention back to signing veteran Sheldon Rankins on a long-term deal. There's mutual interest on both sides, but after helping the Texans secure their first division title in four seasons, the 30-year-old former first-round pick is looking for proper compensation.
After flourishing in Robert Saleh's defensive front in 2022, Rankins inked a one-year, $10.5 million deal under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans. He shined in a similar defensive front, notching 37 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, and 10 QB hits opposite Maliek Collins.
Perhaps Ryans' biggest accomplishment in Year 1 was fixing the run defense. After finishing dead last in yards and yards after contact under David Culley and Lovie Smith, Houston finished sixth nationally, allowing just two tailbacks to total over 100 yards. Houston's defense ranked 11th in scoring (20.8 points per contest) and 15th in total yards (330.7 yards per game).
The Texans only want to build off that in Year 2. On Sunday, Houston agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. Fatukasi met with the Texans on Wednesday before meeting with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday afternoon following his release.
Houston will also have to look at adding a defensive end following the departure of Jonathan Greenard. Greenard, who led the Texans with 12.5 sacks, agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on a four-year, $76 million deal, according to NFL Network.
Potential replacement options for Greenard include former 49ers defensive end Chase Young, Browns edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, Jets defensive end Bryce Huff (25), and Ravens defensive Jadaveon Clowney. Clowney, who began his career with the Texans back in 2014, might be willing to agree to a one-year deal, as evident by his past several signings with the Ravens and Tennessee Titans.
Young, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, could be looking for a one-year 'prove-it' deal now that he's fully recovered from his torn ACL. Last season following a trade from the Washington Commanders, the former No. 2 pick totaled 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss.
The Texans have been linked to several defensive line draft prospects, including Illinois' Johnny Newton, Texas' Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat, Florida State's Braden Fiske and Missouri's Darius Robinson.
