The Pittsburgh Steelers were not one of the teams that spent March 5 agonizing over what to do with their franchise tag for the 2024 NFL season, but one decision that was made official on March 5 could have an impact on their future.
Christian Wilkins, a standout defensive tackle, will have the opportunity to test free agency this offseason as the Miami Dolphins decided not to put the franchise tag on him.
Since Wilkins has been a standout player for the Dolphins the past few years and they hadn’t used the tag on anybody else, the move was unexpected.
Teams across the league will now have the opportunity to try to bolster their rosters with some star power.
Stuart Miller-Davis of Steelers Nation thinks the Steelers should take advantage of Wilkins’s impending free agency this offseason.
Wilkins’ 5 Strong Years With the Dolphins
Wilkins has been a solid starter for the Dolphins since they picked him 13th overall in the 2019 draft.
His rookie year saw him make 56 tackles and add in a couple of sacks.
However, it was his third year in the league where he really stepped up his game.
In 2021, he completed 89 tackles. Ten of them involved a loss. In addition, he produced 17 pressures and 4.5 sacks.
The next season, he recorded 98 total tackles, including 16 for a loss and 15 pressures.
In 2023, Wilkins truly found his footing as a pass rusher and was once again a headache for the opposition’s attacks.
Even though his number of tackles decreased, he managed to record 10 tackles for a loss.
Wilkins recorded nine sacks and thirty pressures as a pass rusher.
When Wilkins approaches free agency, he’ll undoubtedly attract a lot of attention after demonstrating that he can be a valuable asset against the run and pass.
He just might not be the right move for the Steelers in 2024.
Would the Move Make Sense for the Steelers?
On the surface, it appears like the Steelers made the right decision in signing Wilkins.
After a dismal 2023 campaign, the squad may decide to let go of Larry Ogunjobi and bring in reinforcements for the 2024 campaign.
They must also begin making plans for their D-line’s future.In 2024, Cameron Heyward will turn 35 years old. He battled a serious groin injury throughout the previous season. It might be his final season in the league next year.
The team needs to start making plans for how they’re going to replace him.
However, Wilkins might not be the answer.
First, there’s the cost. Sportrac currently has Wilkins projected to make just under $81 million dollars over four years on his next contract and that could actually be low.
For a team with limited cap space, it would be a significant investment at a position that isn’t always urgently needed.
Wilkins’ age is essentially the other problem.
Despite having only spent five seasons in the NFL, the outstanding defensive tackle is now 28 years old.
This implies that he may begin to exhibit symptoms of deterioration prior to the conclusion of his four-year contract, and even in that case, the Steelers would likely still need to replace a star defensive tackle in four years.
The Steelers would undoubtedly be a better club in 2024 with Wilkins on board, but this seems like a luxury the franchise cannot currently afford.
