Jaguars Must Consider the Risk-Reward of Christian Wilkins

Risk-Reward for Wilkins

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that Wilkins is intending to play in 2026, and 26 teams have so far reached out to the former top defensive tackle. Considering the Raiders are clearly not one of these teams, that means the question is whether the Jaguars are one of the five teams that has not reached out to Wilkins.

The risk with Wilkins is clear as day. Foot injuries are normally extremely concerning for linemen to begin with, and Wilkins' timeline is even more concerning beyond that. Wilkins injured his foot in Week 5 ... of the 2024 season. Not only has he not played in a game since then, but the fact he is still rehabing 1.5 years later is far from an encouraging sign.

With that in mind, that is the only reason a talent like Wilkins is even available. That and the way the Raiders alleged he went about his recovery. If Wilkins can put the last two years behind him and finally get healthy, though, he has the potential to be a true difference-maker, and difference-making defensive tackles are rarely available in March.

If the Jaguars were to sign Wilkins and see him continue with foot injuries, it obviously would not be ideal, but would it really be any different than the situation they are in now? Wilkins has zero leverage to command a contract that could hurt the Jaguars if he doesn't pan out, meaning the reward should in theory far outweigh the risk.

What is the reward exactly? That is hard to say. The Wilkins of old was a $100 million signing because of his ability to dismantale interior offensive lines at a high clip. Can he still be that player a few years removed from his prime and coming off a serious injury? It is tough to say.

But the Jaguars are in a position where they can afford to find out. What do they really have to lose?