Addressing the quarterback role will be one of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s biggest duties this offseason. So will reinforcing a defensive line that has long lacked elite talent, but luckily, there are countless alternatives available, such as Christian Wilkins.
For those who aren’t familiar, Wilkins is a big, 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive handle who is coming off a career-high nine-sack season for the Miami Dolphins, but now he’s set for free agency, and there’s a lot of smoke tying him to the Vikings.
This makes sense, thinking about Minnesota’s needs, but that’s no longer the solely motive why. Wilkins was once additionally the first player the Dolphins drafted after hiring Brian Flores as head coach, and just like Mike Zimmer continually had an timeless loyalty to Anthony Barr, it’s viable the equal feeling is replicated here too.
While the Vikings and their fans constantly have a lengthy want listing of who they’d like to see delivered to the team, we must comprehend there are 31 different NFL teams with the identical goals. This capability adding an elite brain like Wilkins, who’s one of the very fine free sellers available, won’t be easy. But that won’t have an impact on how strongly the Vikings pursue the game-wrecking DT, who’s stated to be a “priority” for Minnesota’s front workplace this offseason.
“None makes more feel than longtime Miami Dolphins protective address Christian Wilkins, whom Flores drafted in 2019. Wilkins is versatile, long lasting and forceful, which is the whole lot Flores seeks. Familiarity is a plus, too. Landing him will likely be a priority, however Wilkins’ market might also push Minnesota to around $23 million a year. In that scenario, another question arises: Would you as an alternative offer that type of contract to the 28-year-old Wilkins or the 29-year-old Danielle Hunter?”
Lewis brings up a tremendous point. Who brings better value? Paying Danielle Hunter roughly $23 million per season or handing a similar contract to Wilkins? Ultimately, the preference may additionally not be up to the Vikings.
If Hunter finds a better offer elsewhere, then the Vikings pivoting to Wilkins should still be regarded a ‘win’ for the offseason. Yet, letting both slip through their grasp may want to be a huge mistake that leaves the front seven barring a single elite player in the group.
In turn, it makes a lot of sense to prioritize chasing Wilkins, whether they lose Hunter or not. But should you imagine having each in Brian Flores’ defense? That’s nasty, in a very precise way.
