Dolphins Rumors: Christian Wilkins Seen as Top-10 DT by 'Several Respected' Execs

The Miami Dolphins may have to pay a pretty penny to retain defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who's due to be a free agent in the offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported "several respected executives consider him a top-10 defensive tackle." He added that "enough teams love Wilkins' versatile game that he will be paid handsomely."

Wilkins has already matched his career high for sacks (4.5) while recording 38 tackles. It stands to reason he's headed toward a raise on his $10.8 million salary for this season, and doubling that number might be required to get his signature.

The franchise tag for a defensive tackle is projected to be $20.9 million in 2024, per Over the Cap, and paying Wilkins like a top-10 player at the position would mean a roughly $18 million annual payout.

The Washington Commanders' Jonathan Allen is the ninth-highest-paid tackle, and that's how much he collects each year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vita Vea is 10th and has a $17.8 million average annual salary.

The bad news for the Dolphins is that they're projected to be $39.1 million over the cap next year, according to Spotrac.

General manager Chris Grier will move around some money through contract restructures, and there will be some cap casualties. Cutting Emmanuel Ogbah, for example, would yield $13.8 million or $15.8 million in savings depending on whether he was a pre- or post-June 1 cut.

Carving out enough flexibility to not only re-sign Wilkins but also have enough left over to meaningfully address other areas of the roster won't be easy, though. Based on Fowler's report, plenty of suitors will be lining up to bid against the Dolphins as well.