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Christian Wilkins at 2024 Las Vegas Raiders OTAs

Training camp is finally here, and the San Francisco 49ers‘ preseason is just around the corner. For the first time in quite a few seasons, the 49ers roster is going to be drastically different. The Niners lost multiple key veterans on the defensive side of the ball and are banking on a lot of first and second-year players to step up. While it’s smart to stay young, they could use a larger veteran presence. If that’s something the front office does want, then the perfect opportunity may have unfolded in front of them. 

Christian Wilkins Cut from the Raiders

Just one season after signing a lucrative contract in Las Vegas, the Raiders decided to move on and release star defensive linemen Christian Wilkins. This deal was originally for a 4-year $110 million including $57.5 million guaranteed. The Raiders voided his remaining guarantees upon releasing him, citing “failure to maintain his physical condition to play.” 

Why He Fits in San Francisco

There are definitely concerns, but if his health checks out, it would make sense for the 49ers to go after him. For starters, they need help on the defensive line, especially the interior. They drafted Alfred Collins and CJ West this Spring, but have limited depth besides them and veterans Jordan Elliot and Kevin Givens.

The other reason it checks out for the Niners is that even though Wilkins is getting up there in age, he’s still a special talent. He may not put up elite sack numbers, but he’s dominant in the run game. Wilkins has posted a PFF run-defense grade above 78 in three of the past four seasons and has the fourth-highest run defense grade over the past two years. 

Even in an injury-plagued season last year, he graded out as the 24th-ranked interior defensive lineman according to PFF. His tape says he still has some left in the tank. 

Concerns about Signing Him

The biggest reasons why the 49ers may pass on Wilkins are because of their youth movement and past history. It’s clear that the franchise feels like it needed to get younger this offseason. Wilkins is not in line with that module. Add in the past defensive line signings of Dee Ford and Javon Hargrave, and they may be skiddish to pull off a similar move. Wilkins may be viewed as a better talent than those two, but injuries and age catch up quickly in the NFL.

Does the reward outweigh the risk? 

If the 49ers plan to be Super Bowl contenders this season, they should seriously consider bringing Wilkins in. Perhaps he will ask for too large a contract, and it won’t be worth it. But the bottom line is that the Niners need playmakers on defense, especially in the front seven. Wilkins has been one of the biggest game wreckers of the past five years and would immediately make an impact if injuries don’t slow him down. If San Francisco can negotiate a deal that includes a higher percentage of incentives compared to guarantees, they should heavily consider pulling the trigger on it.