Christian Wilkins, New York Giants
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Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center.
The New York Giants have had a relatively active free agency. Despite not entering the offseason with a boatload of cap space, they got creative, cutting and restructuring players to free up enough money to bring new faces in.
Among the positions the Giants attacked have been wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker, but they’ve neglected a couple of other key positions.
The offensive line needs another proven starter, and while Dexter Lawrence is a stud, he can’t do it all by himself, and the Giants could use another presence on the interior of their defensive line.
Some fans have pointed to Lawrence’s Clemson teammate, Christian Wilkins, as an option, considering his talent and availability.
But the Giants don’t seem interested in adding the former first-round pick.
Giants Insider Closes Door on Christian Wilkins
ESPN insider Jordan Raanan all but slammed the door shut on the possibility of the New York Giants signing Wilkins as a free agent, thanks to the situation that led to his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Whatever happened in that locker room, I don’t know exactly what it was, but on top of the injury part, it just sounds like that’s gonna be a tough one for him to overcome,” Raanan said on the Giants Nation Show.
“Even if it’s Dexter Lawrence, who is one of his best friends, it doesn’t sound like that’s one where it’s gonna be easy to bring him into your locker room.”
The split between Las Vegas and Wilkins is a strange one. Just one year into a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders, the former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle was released and had his guarantees voided due to a breach of contract.
No one knows for sure what went down in that locker room (except for those in the league, obviously), but whatever it was, it’s keeping Wilkins out of the league, as he remains unsigned almost nine months later.
The reason why he’s been linked to the Giants is due to his relationship with star nose tackle Lawrence. Both players attended Clemson together and served on the same defensive line.
Wilkins would be a solid addition to New York’s defensive line. In six years in the league, he’s accumulated 22.5 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, and 56 quarterback hits.
He’s best used as a 3-4 defensive end, and would be Lawrence’s most talented co-star since the days of Leonard Williams in New York.
What Will the Giants Do on Their Defensive Line?
As things currently stand, the New York Giants are relatively thin at defensive tackle.
Lawrence is the star of the group, of course. But next to him, you have 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander and ninth-year veteran Roy Robertson-Harris.
Alexander showed promise in his rookie season. In 16 games, he racked up 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. He certainly has room to grow, but he can’t be the only presence alongside Lawrence.
A veteran like D.J. Reader would be a solid addition. He could help turn around the Giants’ poor run defense, and wouldn’t break the bank. Spotrac projects a two-year, $7.7 million contract for the 31-year-old defensive lineman.
Either way, the Giants can’t go into the season with their defensive line as is, and would be wise to make an addition, whether in free agency or the draft.