Silver And Black Pride
How far does the 2024 free-agent signing slide?
Defensive tackle is an interesting position for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into the 2025 season. When healthy, Christian Wilkins is one of the best interior defenders in the AFC West and the entire NFL, for that matter. However, Wilkins’ injury casts some doubt on his standing, while also giving Adam Butler a chance to rise up the ranks this fall.
So, where do Wilkins and Butler stand in Silver and Black Pride’s preseason AFC West defensive tackle rankings?
2024 Stats: 37 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 TFLs
The six-time All-Pro selection will have a gold jacket hanging in his closet one day and is still playing at a high level. While Jones posted his lowest sack total since his rookie season last year, he still ranked second among defensive tackles with 74 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That kept his streak going of three consecutive seasons with more than 70 pressures. The 31-year-old might be at the tail end of his career, but he still reigns supreme as the top defensive tackle in the division and one of the best in the league.
2024 Stats: 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 15 TFLs
Allen hasn’t gotten much recognition; last year was his first All-Pro selection (second-team), and he still hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl roster, but he’s been a quality defensive tackle for several years. Per PFF, the six-year veteran has ranked tied for 20th (35) in pressures among the NFL’s interior defenders, eighth (60) and first (75) over the last three seasons, respectively. He’s also a solid run defender, finishing in the top 10 for ‘defensive stops’ during his two campaigns in Denver.
2024 Stats: 17 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL
As referenced above, Wilkins’ broken foot threatens his availability for the upcoming season, which means he could slide further down this list at the end of the year. The injury limited him to just five games (four and a half, really) in 2024 and has already caused him to drop one spot in the division rankings. However, when healthy, Wilkins is a great run defender who still deserves recognition. For example, he ranked tied for eighth among defensive tackles with seven defensive stops against the run and was second with an 80.2 PFF run defense grade before suffering the foot injury last season. On top of that, the free-agent signing had a career year as a pass-rusher in 2023, collecting nine sacks and 58 pressures. If he can return to form this fall, he can be a top 10 player at his position in the entire league.
2024 Stats: 40 tackles, 7 sacks, 8 TFLs
The Broncos have a pair of impressive defensive tackles, especially as pass-rushers. Denver was the only team in the NFL to have two interior defenders finish in...
