Dolphins Q&A: Is Christian Wilkins next in line for multi-year extension?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.

Q: Is there any chatter about a Christian Wilkins extension? His draft class is gonna blow up the DT market — him, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver…would be a good idea to lock him in before the other guys start signing deals. — John Cronce on Twitter

A: There is such chatter, and around the time of the scouting combine in early March, a league source told the Sun Sentinel that a multi-year extension for Christian Wilkins is a goal before utilizing a fifth-year option by the May 2 deadline.

Such a deal could make Wilkins one of the NFL’s 10 highest-paid defensive tackles.

Wilkins may actually set the market for the other defensive tackles from the 2019 draft mentioned more so than they would him, outside of maybe the Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, who was a Pro Bowl selection last year, a distinction Wilkins has yet to achieve.

Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver and Dexter Lawrence have been solid but not as consistently impactful as Wilkins, although Williams, the No. 3 pick in that draft to the New York Jets, has provided the most in terms of pass rush with his 15 ½ sacks over three seasons, 13 in the past two years. With the Bills, Oliver, also taken ahead of Wilkins, has been a liability in run defense. Lawrence, with the Giants, has not quite lived up to his billing as a top run-stopper.

Wilkins is coming off a third NFL season where he tied for the league lead in tackles among defensive linemen. His 89 tackles tied Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward for most last season, which was the highest mark for any down lineman since 2013. Ten of those tackles for Wilkins went for a loss.

“He had a heck of a year last year,” said Dolphins general manager Chris Grier when asked about the likelihood of picking up Wilkins’ fifth-year option. “I would say most likely, but we’ll make that decision when we get to that.”

Wilkins, starting every game, also upped his pass rush in 2021 with a career-high 4 ½ sacks, adding 13 quarterback hits, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and fumble recovery — oh, and of course, a touchdown reception with an epic celebration that followed.

If Miami can’t get an extension done before the May 2 deadline for exercising the fifth-year option, it would likely use the fifth-year option, guaranteeing the former Clemson standout $10,069,000 in 2023, a figure that is based on his playing time the past three years and the average salary of the third through 20th highest-paid defensive tackles.

A multi-year deal for Wilkins, who is slated to make $2.6 million in 2022, would likely earn him an annual salary in the $10-13 million range. The fifth-year option, which is only available for first-round picks, gives the Dolphins an extra season to get a deal done, but a multi-year extension would be more cap friendly.

The Dolphins, of course, have had various other maneuvers to prioritize this offseason before coming around to Wilkins. They signed left tackle Terron Armstead, traded for receiver Tyreek Hill and added running backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds in free agency among outside acquisitions. Miami gave cornerback Xavien Howard the extension he wanted, re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and placed the franchise tag on tight end Mike Gesicki, among moves made to keep top returning players within the organization.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.