Three potential landing spots for Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins

The Miami Dolphins defense could be losing another key contributor this offseason. On Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed the Dolphins will not place the franchise tag on star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Wilkins, the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, posted the best statistical season of his career in 2023, setting career highs in pressures (61), QB hits (23) and sacks (nine). While a return to Miami cannot be ruled out, Wilkins should have plenty of suitors this offseason and could command a deal that exceeds the team's budget.

Here are three teams that would be ideal fits for the 28-year-old should he leave Miami: 

Cincinnati Bengals 

Cincinnati isn't a team that typically breaks the bank for high-profile free agents, but it has an opportunity to go all out during an offseason it must capitalize on. According to Over the Cap, the Bengals have the ninth-most cap space in the NFL ($48.6M), more than enough to make a splashy acquisition before the team must sign WR Ja'Marr Chase to a long-term extension. 

With DT D.J. Reader, who suffered a season-ending quad injury, set to hit free agency, putting that cap space toward a replacement such as Wilkins makes sense for Cincinnati. Even when Reader was healthy, Cincinnati's run defense was subpar — the team allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in the league this past season (2,145). Wilkins isn't the greatest at stopping the run, but he could help the Bengals enhance their performance in that department. 

It should also be noted Wilkins has intriguing ties to members of the Bengals organization that could factor into his free-agency decision. Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby served as Clemson's co-defensive coordinator for two seasons when Wilkins was enrolled at the university. Additionally, Wilkins is represented by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First, who also represents Bengals WR Tee Higgins.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are just a few more pieces on defense away from having a roster capable of winning a Super Bowl. While upgrading the secondary should be the top priority for GM Brad Holmes, Detroit would also benefit from adding a defensive lineman.

In 2023, Detroit racked up the ninth-fewest sacks in the NFL (41), with Pro Bowl edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson collecting a team-leading 11.5. Aside from Hutchinson, only DT Alim McNeill had more than three sacks for the Lions. Bringing in a versatile DT of Wilkins' caliber would greatly assist Detroit in improving upon its 2023 sack total and elevate the play of the entire defensive line.  

With the eighth-most cap space at their disposal ($51.5M), the Lions are more than capable of paying Wilkins the massive contract he will demand in free agency. 

Houston Texans

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently named Houston a potential destination for Wilkins, and it's easy to see why. The Texans are in the best possible position an NFL team can hope for, as they have a clear star at quarterback in C.J. Stroud on a rookie deal. Houston's rebuilding process has accelerated to the point where it can spend heavily over the next few offseasons in hopes of capturing its first Super Bowl.

Strengthening its defensive line with Wilkins would be a solid first step to accomplishing that goal and wise use of the team's $70M in cap space.

After allowing the most rushing yards per game in 2022 (170.2), Houston's defense emerged as one of the NFL's better run-stopping units in the first season under HC DeMeco Ryans, the former San Francisco defensive coordinator.

DT Sheldon Rankins played a significant role in the team's turnaround, finishing the 2023 season with 37 tackles and six sacks. Although Rankins can still be a reliable piece of Houston's defense, he’s an impending free agent and letting him walk to sign Wilkins would undoubtedly take the unit to a new level.