The Arizona Cardinals are in dire need of help in their front seven. While they may not be able to make any additions in that area between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, Bleacher Report feels that the Cardinals should be preparing to target a certain defensive tackle in free agency.
Currently a member of the Miami Dolphins, Wilkins will represent one of the best interior defenders available on the free-agent market come the spring.
Wilkins, who played his collegiate football at Clemson, was originally selected by the Dolphins with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The 27-year-old immediately made an impact during his rookie campaign, posting 56 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Then, the following year, Wilkins registered similar numbers, finishing with 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and five passes defended.
Wilkins then had a breakout campaign of sorts in 2021, racking up 89 stops, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four passes defended. He continued developing as a run stopper last season, rattling off 98 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and six passes defended.
The Framingham, Ma. native has logged 13 tackles and a sack through three games in 2023.
Arizona’s defensive front took a hit when it lost Zach Allen to the Denver Broncos in free agency last offseason. Its defense has struggled mightily as a whole this season, ranking 26th in the NFL. It is also just 26th in defending the run, so bringing Wilkins into the fold could help remedy those issues.
Of course, there is a long way between now and the offseason. The Cardinals picked up their first win of the year with an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. They will take on the San Francisco 49ers in the Bay Area on Sunday afternoon.
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