How Sheldon Richardson Situation Impacts Jets' Talks with Muhammad Wilkerson

Muhammad Wilkerson's agent must be grinning from ear to ear. The New York Jets defensive lineman has been embroiled in a contractual dispute with his team for months, but with news of transgressions by teammate Sheldon Richardson, Wilkerson's asking price is probably on a steady incline.

Over the past two weeks, Richardson's name has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons—not once, but twice. The first time came when the NFL announced that Richardson would be suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. The second time came when Richardson was charged with resisting arrest, along with "numerous traffic violations," according to the St. Charles County (Missouri) prosecuting office.

The police report states that Richardson was clocked at speeds of up to 143 miles per hour. 

Richardson is one of the most important players in the entire Jets defense, but so is Wilkerson. Now, the Jets may have to show Wilkerson exactly how valuable he is to their team.

For his part, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan doesn't agree that Richardson's behavior impacts Wilkerson's negotiations: 

"

We want to have Muhammad a part of this organization for a long time. Going forward, we will just proceed as normal and how Sheldon's situation plays itself out doesn't really have a lot of bearing on Muhammad. Our intention was to try to sign Muhammad to the long term deal prior to the draft, after the draft. With all the things that have happened on recently, nothing has really changed on that. 

"

He might have a point, if Wilkerson and Richardson weren't both defensive linemen. 

Wilkerson's role as the 5-technique and the anchor of the line was in jeopardy when the Jets handed in their selection card of USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft. At the time, that selection seemed like a direct response to Wilkerson's contractual dispute.

Now, though, the Jets just have to be grateful that they have Williams if only because there's no certainty about Richardson's long-term future. If the Jets' 2013 first-round pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year is not in the long-term plans, there will be more than enough room for both Wilkerson and Williams to anchor the ends of the line for years to come.

The only difference is the sense of urgency that the Jets should be showing in getting Wilkerson's contract signed.

Before, they had the luxury of playing the waiting game. They hold the cards in getting this deal done. If all else fails, they can always put the franchise tag on Wilkerson next year if he remains unsigned. It would cost them at least $14 million in guaranteed money (if 2015's $14.8 million tag number is any indication), but it's still an option at their disposal. 

Recent contracts indicate that the Jets could get Wilkerson at a better rate if they ink him to a long-term deal. He is a superior overall player to San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Corey Liuget, New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward; all three of those players are earning at least $10 million per year and at least $15 million guaranteed.

But Wilkerson's presence for the next three to five years could be worth the price of admission 

The defensive line has been a major strength for them over the past two seasons. There is a chance that we could see some chinks in the armor now that Richardson is out of the picture—at least for the time being.

There's also the possibility that prognostications of Wilkerson's stock uptick are premature. Wilkerson left practice Sunday with a hamstring injury, according to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini. Jets head coach Todd Bowles described it as a "tweak," and said, "he shouldn't be out long." That being said, if the injury does happen to be anything more than a short-term hiccup, Wilkerson's leverage might be gone before he ever really had it.

But let's assume that Bowles is being honest about Wilkerson's prognosis. The defensive line could still be leaders of the defense, even without Richardson and with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie on the corners.

Bowles has never had a group of linemen quite as dominant as the group that he calls his own with the Jets. We could see exactly how valuable a dominant defensive line can be in Bowles' system this season. If and when that happens, Wilkerson's asking price could go up even further than it already has as a result of Richardson's off-field behavior.

In a best-case scenario, the Jets defensive line doesn't miss a beat with Richardson out of the picture. If that's the case, Wilkerson's asking price will only continue to rise. 

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release.