Dawgs By Nature
The defense is always looking to add another piece, Christian Wilkins presents an interesting option
It was just two seasons ago that DC Jim Schwartz provided the expertise and leadership that shaped the Cleveland Browns’ defense into the top unit in the league.
You don’t get that distinction without having talented players. And Cleveland just so happened to employ EDGE rusher Myles Garrett, who was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season.
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Browns GM Andrew Berry is always looking to tweak the roster, looking for talent in an attempt to make each position a bit better. This year’s defensive tackle group looks very good and should hold its own after failing last year.
On Thursday, a major name was released from his team: DT Christian Wilkins, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, a player Cleveland reportedly tried to acquire in NFL free agency two offseasons ago.
The Raiders announced Wilkins’ release in a statement Thursday:
“We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team. This franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.”
Wilkins (6’-4”, 310 pounds) was taken with the 13th pick in the 2019 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He was an absolute stud at Clemson, where he was a two-time All-American and a two-time All-ACC recipient, plus was part of two National Championships.
The fact that the Raiders up and cut him so early in training camp was unexpected by everyone. Should Berry call his agent and bring him in for a physical to see if he can sign him?
By waiving Wilkins, Las Vegas voided $35 million of Wilkins’ contract. He injured his left foot and suffered a Jones fracture early in the second quarter of the Week 5 contest against the Denver Broncos, a 34-18 defeat. He had surgery with a recovery period of about three to four months. However, a person’s body can take longer to heal if they need bone grafting to fix the fracture, and Wilkins was added to the IR list, which ended his season.
But the recovery was taking forever, and the Raiders wanted Wilkins, age 29, to have further procedures and undergo a second surgery. He declined in favor of a rehabilitation routine. From there, it has been a roller coaster between player and management as to when and how he should treat the injury, and when he could return to the field.
Las Vegas officials asserted that the best path to take for his injury to heal correctly was a second surgery, and Wilkins declined several times. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic:
“Wilkins’ refusal to undergo a...
