NFL Rumors: Dolphins' Christian Wilkins' Market Heating Up After Chris Jones Contract

After the Kansas City Chiefs signed defensive tackle Chris Jones to a new five-year deal, other teams have reportedly turned their attention to the best remaining free-agent defensive tackle.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the market for Miami Dolphins star Christian Wilkins "is heating up after Miami opted against the franchise tag. Expect at least seven teams to pursue him."

Fowler noted that Wilkins' connection with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who is now defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, makes Minnesota "one to watch." He also added that the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns "could take swings, too."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jones agreed to a five-year contract that includes $95 million guaranteed in the first three years alone. Jones will now have the highest average annual salary for a defensive tackle in NFL history, so his deal will likely provide the framework for what Wilkins winds up getting.

The 13th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Wilkins didn't take long to establish himself as a key cog in the Miami defense. He has started all 17 games in each of the last three seasons and he finished the 2023 campaign with a career-high 9.0 sacks while adding 65 total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Losing Wilkins would be a major blow to the Dolphins, but that's the risk they took by not placing their franchise tag on him. The 28-year-old can be a difference-maker on any defensive line, so teams will be lining up for his services when free agency officially begins on Wednesday.