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Bill Belichick Sends Strong Message on Raiders DT Christian Wilkins

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated May 29, 2025 2:51 PM ET

It's been a rocky past several months for Christian Wilkins since he signed a $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason. He looked worth the contract early in the season, but only lasted five games before a Jones fracture in his foot knocked him out for the rest of the year.

There's some worry that he might not be worth the price the Raiders paid for him, but there's one legendary coach who is very high on his ability. Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, now the head coach of North Carolina's football team, was asked who his favorite Clemson player is that he has ever scouted.

He was quick to name Wilkins as that player.

“It probably would be [Christian] Wilkins,” Belichick said on the "ACC Huddle Special."

“Character. Playing ability. All-around player. He could rush. He could run. Had a heck of a college career and then a heck of an NFL career. We had a hard time blocking him at Miami twice a year, so I didn’t like that.”

When healthy, Wilkins is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll dropped some comments recently that suggested that he's not entirely 100% yet.

If he can get healthy before the season, he'll be a big boost to the Raiders' defense. He was supposed to form a dynamic defensive line duo with defensive end Maxx Crosby last season, but since both were banged up last season, the team didn't get a chance to see their true potential together.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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