6 bold Vikings predictions for free agency in the 2024 offseason
By Chris Schad
Vikings Prediction No. 2
The Vikings will sign Christian Wilkins
Quick. Name a defensive lineman who started for the Vikings last season other than Harrison Phillips. If you’re stumped, you’ve figured out one of the biggest problems with Minnesota’s defense.
Phillips led Vikings defensive linemen with 838 total snaps last season but his game needed to be stretched too thin to make up for the players next to him.
Jonathan Bullard had one of the worst seasons of his career, according to PFF grades, and 2023 free-agent acquisition Dean Lowry had just four pressures on 109 pass-rushing snaps.
Minnesota needs an impact player in the trenches, and that’s where Christian Wilkins comes in.
A first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins when Brian Flores was head coach in 2019, Wilkins logged 968 snaps for the Dolphins and finished ninth in the league with 61 pressures last season.
Interior pressure has been in high demand across the NFL and top option Justin Madubuike was taken off the market when he was given the franchise tag by the Baltimore Ravens last week.
With Chris Jones out of Minnesota’s price range, Wilkins won’t be much cheaper, but he’ll be a welcome addition to a team that needs someone to stand out in the trenches.