Whenever a big name surprisingly hits the open market, it only makes sense for just about every team in the NFL to nose around that player and see if there is a fit that can be made–especially if it can be made on a bargain contract. The Cowboys, like all NFL teams, enjoy a good bargain on a talented player, and with the Raiders’ stunning cut of defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, it only makes sense that they’re being asked about their level of interest, too.
Indeed, Wilkins makes some sense for a defensive line that badly needs depth and versatility. The Cowboys re-signed Osa Odighizuwa this offseason, but there is not a lot of faith in his bookend, Mazi Smith, nor is there much depth on the chart behind those two.
Veteran backup Solomon Thomas and seventh-round pick Jay Toia are currently the DL backups.
Dropping Wilkins into the mix would certainly be an upgrade in talent.
Cowboys ‘Look at Anybody That Becomes Available’
But team VP Stephen Jones, son of owner Jerry Jones, was noncommittal about the prospect of adding Wilkins when the topic was broached on Saturday.
According to veteran Cowboys beat reporter Mike Fisher, Jones said only, “You’ll look at anybody that becomes available.”
And Wilkins is available, apparently after wearing out his welcome following just one year in Las Vegas. How healthy Wilkins is remains a matter of contention. The impetus for the Raiders to cut Wilkins and wash themselves (pending an appeal, at least) of their remaining commitment to him was apparently his need for a surgery on his foot, which followed a Jones fracture that did not heal.
Wilkins did not get the surgery, and instead chose to rehab. The Raiders used that as leverage to get out of the $35 million remaining on their $85 million guarantee to him. Wilkins’ total contract was worth $110 million.
Christian Wilkins Had ‘An Incident Involving a Teammate’
A further report alleges that the Raiders also had an issue with Wilkins after he got into a confrontation with another player. Details of the report, which comes from CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, are sketchy.
But, Anderson wrote: “Some league sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders’ fatigue and release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, beyond the management of his foot injury as the reported predominant cause. The Raiders have not officially confirmed an incident or a complaint involving Wilkins and a teammate, while another direct league source confirmed awareness of a situation in which ‘Christian (was) playing around.’”
Cowboys Would Be Gambling
Would the Cowboys want to play around with Wilkins? That depends on which version of him the team thought it would get–and whether he would want to come to Dallas.
Wilkins played every game for three straight seasons in Miami before he signed with Las Vegas, and while he was effective when he suited up for the Raiders, the team obviously was not impressed with his approach after he was injured. Wilkins played only five games in 2024.
Wilkins posted a 74.7 grade at Pro Football Focus in 2024, which was 21st among defensive linemen, and posted an 80.2 grade against the run. That ranked third.
