The Miami Dolphins stirred controversy in South Florida by choosing not to franchise tag Christian Wilkins, allowing the standout defensive tackle to leave the team.
This decision drew criticism, especially after Wilkins signed a lucrative four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, surpassing the value of the franchise tag by $5 million per year.
Retaining Wilkins would have been challenging for Miami, particularly after beginning the offseason $51 million over the salary cap.
The team urgently needed to create cap space, leading to the sacrifice of key defensive players during the initial free agency period, leaving the defense weakened. Consequently, Miami now faces multiple vacancies to address in the upcoming draft, notably the absence of the 6-foot-4, 310-pound presence on the defensive line left by Wilkins.
According to Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, Byron Murphy II emerges as the ideal successor to Wilkins. Despite being slightly smaller at 6-foot-1 and 308 pounds, the former Texas lineman exhibits comparable qualities, including strength, explosiveness, and relentless determination on the field.
In 2023, Murphy recorded 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, and his performance at the NFL Combine earned him a 6.48 prospect grade, indicating his potential to be a solid starter in the coming years.
Interestingly, prior to the Raiders signing Wilkins to a hefty contract, they were viewed as a prime destination for Murphy. Now, with Wilkins gone, the Dolphins find themselves in need of a replacement.