Free-agent options for Raiders if DT Christian Wilkins is unavailable

Uncertainty surrounds Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is still rehabbing from a Jones fracture in his left foot.

Vinny Bonsingore of The Las Vegas Review Journal recently noted he believes Wilkins will be ready to play by August, but his health is  "something to monitor."

In free agency in March 2024, the Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110M deal, including $82.75 million guaranteed. But he played in only five games in 2024 before suffering the fracture and missed the remainder of the season. 

The Raiders hope he's ready for training camp, but they must have a contingency plan if he is not. 

Here are three free-agent defensive tackles for Las Vegas to consider should Wilkins miss extended time:

William Gholston

Gholston (6-foot-6, 281 pounds) has played his entire NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He's familiar with Raiders general manager John Spytek from their time together in Tampa Bay, where Spytek served as director of player personnel (2016-2020) and assistant GM (2021-22).

Gholston would provide veteran leadership and be a good complement to All-Pro end Maxx Crosby. The Raiders could use him on a rotational role basis, aiding DT Adam Butler, much as Gholston learned from Ndamukong Suh in Tampa Bay.

Quinton Jefferson

Is it time for a reunion time for Jefferson (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) and the Raiders? He only spent one season with the Raiders, in 2021, before playing for the Browns and Bills last season.

If Jefferson, 32, were to return to Vegas, he would reunite with head coach Pete Carroll, whom he played for from 2016-2019 and 2022 with the Seahawks. Last season, Jefferson finished the season with two sacks, a decent total for a DT over 12 games. 

Linval Joseph

Joseph is 36, but he can be productive. Last season, his lone season with the Dallas Cowboys, he had 19 tackles, three QB hits, two sacks and a forced fumble in 17 games. 

Joseph (6-foot-4, 329 pounds) hasn't had a stellar season since 2021, when he logged 57 tackles with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, he could complement Butler, who had a resurgence last season with 65 tackles and five sacks.