Given their cap predicament and his projected pay, the Miami Dolphins will find it tough to retain outstanding defensive lineman Christian Wilkins in 2024.
According to Over the Cap, the Dolphins presently owe $51.898 million. That implies that in order to re-sign a possible $20 million-plus free agent like Wilkins, the team must first cut more than $52 million in payroll.
A more feasible option would be to replace Wilkins with a youngster. On February 5, ESPN scouting analyst Matt Miller predicted that the Dolphins will pick Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins hits free agency this spring, and his replacement could be found at pick No. 21 if Miami doesn’t re-sign him,” he said.
Reasoning: “Newton is a first-step magician who can sneak between blockers or simply run over them. During the regular season, the 6-foot-2, 295-pounder racked up 7.5 sacks while playing several positions on the Illinois front. Newton has the potential to have a Grady Jarrett-like impact at 3-technique in Miami, surrounded by a strong group of defensive ends like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
Newton is a four-year contributor who played his whole collegiate career at Illinois.
During that time, the two-time All-American had 18.0 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in 44 games. He also caused two turnovers, recovered three fumbles, batted down five passes, and had 187 total tackles.
The Draft Network’s Damian Parson hailed Newton as a “powerful hand striker” who is “extremely disruptive on all three downs.”
Similar to Miller’s analysis, Parson projected Newton as a starting 3-technique interior DL. “His impact can be felt on both run and passing downs,” the scout explained. “That said, he will be most impactful on passing downs where he can create havoc for opposing quarterbacks and generate pressure up the middle of the OL.”
