Christian Wilkins gives the Las Vegas Raiders a significant improvement on the inside of the defensive line, but he also means the loss of a vital player. The Arizona Cardinals are signing defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to a three-year contract worth $21 million, with $14.4 million guaranteed, according to an ESPN article published on March 11.
Although Nichols was one of the Raiders’ major free agent acquisitions in the 2022 offseason, he had trouble contributing on a regular basis. The fact that he recorded 1.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons for Las Vegas perhaps contributed to the team’s lack of interest in re-signing him.
Despite his poor pass-rushing skills, Nichols has made every start in the last two seasons. Given that he recorded 48 total tackles in the previous season, he is a resilient and successful run defender. Under head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals are creating a defensive culture, and it looks like Nichols will play a significant role in his plans. Although defensive tackle who doesn’t attack the passer getting $21 million appears expensive, his consistency means he will probably start in Arizona. Despite his lackluster pass-rush performance with the Raiders, he recorded 11.0 sacks during his four-year tenure with the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders are probably still thrilled about signing former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, so they shouldn’t miss Bilal Nichols too much. Pro Football Focus reports that Wilkins had 58 quarterback pressures in the previous campaign.
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Wilkins has the ability to alter the Raiders’ entire defensive line. His presence in the interior creates space for the defensive ends and ought to facilitate pressure on the quarterback. With Nichols joining the Cardinals and Tillery being cut, things at defensive tackle will be different this season. Wilkins is probably not the final player the Raiders bring into the fold.
season, Jerry Tillery led the Raiders in defensive tackles. The best inside pass rusher on the squad was doubled in pressures by Wilkins. For a defensive line that has long needed an impact player in the inside, that is a huge improvement.
This summer, the Raiders had a sizable amount of salary cap room, and new general manager Tom Telesco was obviously involved. Christian Wilkins is becoming one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL, even though he isn’t as good as Aaron Donald or Chris Jones.
Randy Mueller, a former general manager of the NFL, is pleased that Wilkins joined the Raiders.
Given his alignment and capacity to combine speed and power, Wilkins is an immensely adaptable defensive tackle, according to Mueller’s analysis in a March 11 post for The Athletic. “He can participate in any plan. He possesses athletic ability and range in addition to strength at the moment of attack. After a career season, his worth continues to rise because he is an extremely talented athlete.
Under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders defense made progress in the previous campaign. With Wilkins joining the team, the group should only get stronger before the 2024 campaign begins.
