Given the concerns regarding Christian Wilkins, should the Las Vegas Raiders consider acquiring another defensive tackle?
Who can forget when former general manager Tom Telesco signed Wilkins in free agency? He was the offseason’s highlight—a disruptive force who, alongside Maxx Crosby, would wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. For five games, Raiders fans got a taste of that. Regrettably, that’s all we’ve seen from Wilkins, as a Jones fracture took him out of action last season. His recovery thus far (or lack of) has some concerned; does the team need to reinforce the defensive line’s interior?
What options do the Raiders have to replace Christian Wilkins?
Replacing Wilkins’s contributions when he is healthy will be difficult. His lucrative contract is a testament to his value, but there is still hope for Las Vegas. As mentioned in Moneyball, it’s possible to recreate his impact in the “aggregate.” One option could be to move Tyree Wilson inside; pairing him with Adam Butler might provide the necessary size and length to maintain a strong defensive presence. The Raiders can consider this approach to avoid unnecessary expenses.
At the same time, a temporary fix via free agency might help. With Wilkins back in a boot, it’s difficult for anyone to gauge when he’ll be 100 percent again—beat writers aren’t doctors, don’t forget. With that said, an old friend in Quinton Jefferson could be of some assistance.
As Brad Berreman of Just Blog Baby proposed, Jefferson’s ties to the Raiders and new head coach Pete Carroll make him a logical choice. It wasn’t that long ago that Jefferson was a menace inside, just like Wilkins. “He’s not far removed from a six-sack season with the New York Jets in 2023, and for a big chunk of his career, he has been a productive pass rusher,” Berreman wrote.
Another factor that makes Jefferson an intriguing option is his postseason pedigree. Having played ten playoff games, the former Seahawk has a deep understanding of Carroll’s goals in Sin City. The former Seattle head coach doesn’t shy away from looking to his old players for help, as we’ve seen this offseason. With training camp nearing, Jefferson makes sense unless Wilkins miraculously walks out of that boot.
*Top Photo: Getty Images