Christian Wilkins

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, Bangarang said:

 

Star isn’t going anywhere. He has no trade value and his contract makes it stupid to cut him.

 

 

True........the cap hit for cutting him is extraordinary right now...........but if he continues on the decline slope of last year then it would be important to have someone to force him off the active game day roster and actually impact the offensive backfield.  That would allow them to cut bait after this season.    If he gets any worse he's not worth the roster spot.   Hopefully he finds some of the Lorax juice but looked to me that he was semi-retired last year so I don't expect any change in course.   This isn't a 3-4......the IDL are expected to make *some* plays.   They save a little over $2M if they cut him after the 2019 season and now is the time to get your piping hot DT prospects..........not sure about next year.   Dexter Lawrence in round 2 would be a good fit.    Can play either DT spot, IMO.

Edited April 21, 2019 by BADOLBILZ

[billsredneck1]

2 hours ago, Rampage said:

 

Love Lawrence, would have no gripes with trading up into the end of the first round to snag him.

there's so many combinations of moves we can make. if oliver is gone, maybe we get sweat and then lawrence. if we trade down a bit, maybe they take clelin ferrell and then grab lawrence. i believe they are going to get both a dt and an edge....hopefully with the first 2 picks, but at least in the first 3.

[Dr. Who]

30 minutes ago, billsredneck1 said:

there's so many combinations of moves we can make. if oliver is gone, maybe we get sweat and then lawrence. if we trade down a bit, maybe they take clelin ferrell and then grab lawrence. i believe they are going to get both a dt and an edge....hopefully with the first 2 picks, but at least in the first 3.

I'm willing to go DT or Edge early, but I want one of the first two picks on the offensive side of the ledger. Developing Allen is priority number one and he still needs more weapons imo.

[TheBeaneBandit]

2 hours ago, Bangarang said:

 

Star isn’t going anywhere. He has no trade value and his contract makes it stupid to cut him.

I was thinking after this year, If at all.

[CuddyDark]

1 hour ago, Lurker said:

 

A #9 DT has to be more than a one-trick pony.    IMO, he'd be a liability on the inside running game with his lack of strength/anchor.     

 

Shooting gaps looks great...unless it's the wrong gap and you get gashed up the middle, which has been a problem for this team for far too long.

He isn't a one trick pony. He can play with strength. That writeup is why they believe he can't play nose, in a 2 gap or at the 5 spot. It has nothing to do with him being a one gap 3.

[Bangarang]

1 hour ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

I was thinking after this year, If at all.

 

I suppose it’s possible after this year I just wouldn’t expect it

[JM57]

Very hard to get on board with a guy who will turn 24 in his rookie season. He's already close to his athletic downturn when his rookie deal expires 

[Victory Formation]

Why have we given up on Harrison Phillips? He looked promising. Star Lotulelei just got signed to mega bucks. Jordan Phillips looked good. Why do we need 4 quality DTs? Why? Why, Dear Lord? I can definitely go for a DE, not a DT. I'm sorry. I'm going to be ultra disappointed if we do. Oliver and Quinnen W. will be gone. Trade down for a WR or Hock.

[TheBeaneBandit]

7 minutes ago, NewDayBills said:

Why have we given up on Harrison Phillips? He looked promising. Star Lotulelei just got signed to mega bucks. Jordan Phillips looked good. Why do we need 4 quality DTs? Why? Why, Dear Lord? I can definitely go for a DE, not a DT. I'm sorry. I'm going to be ultra disappointed if we do. Oliver and Quinnen W. will be gone. Trade down for a WR or Hock.

Both Philips are second wave guys and Star is barely average, that's why.

[Victory Formation]

1 minute ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

Both Philips are second wave guys and Star is barely average, that's why.

Well, Harrison was graded as above average by PFF, which matches what I saw on tape. He's going to be very good. Star is also going to start, period. Jordan is a good rotational piece. By all means draft a guy, but not at 9. I'm all ears for a DE though. That'd be okay, I guess.... Give me OL, WR or Hock preferably. 

[Aussie Joe]

 

Wilkins to me seems a “safe”’pick and from what I see from Beane he prefers to swing for the fences rather than play it safe..

 

Also, can I suggest if you look closely at Star’s contract he is here for another two years... Doesn’t make sense to me to cut him after this season for $8M dead money to save $2M... could you honestly say he could be replaced for $2M?

 

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by Aussie Joe

[NewEra]

Agreed, he is a safe pick.  Solid player and is better than any of our DTs.  That being said, if we trade down and get another 2nd, I’d be ok with him being out first pick.  If he’s the guy at 9, I’ll feel like we could’ve done more with that pick, AKA, trade down even if we only got a 3rd in return

[wppete]

The more I learn about Christian Wilkins the more I believe he will be the pick if he is there at #9. This guy is the process. He fits everything McBeane is looking for and is an elite player at a major potion of need. Have a listen to this speech.

 

 

[stinky finger]

39 minutes ago, wppete said:

The more I learn about Christian Wilkins the more I believe he will be the pick if he is there at #9. This guy is the process. He fits everything McBeane is looking for and is an elite player at a major potion of need. Have a listen to this speech.

 

 

 

An impressive young man. Thanks for sharing this.

 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

6 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

 

Wilkins to me seems a “safe”’pick and from what I see from Beane he prefers to swing for the fences rather than play it safe..

 

Also, can I suggest if you look closely at Star’s contract he is here for another two years... Doesn’t make sense to me to cut him after this season for $8M dead money to save $2M... could you honestly say he could be replaced for $2M?

 

 

 

There is also the matter of the $6M plus in unguaranteed 2020 base salary that they wouldn't have to pay out if they cut him next offseason.

 

They may only save $2M in "cap space" cutting him next offseason.........but that base salary still represents cap room spent.........and that's money saved immediately and will show up as cap savings going forward because you can roll over savings.

 

But it's more than a cap savings/dead money issue.

 

In a system where you need some plays from your DT's it's a problem that he went from always having 8-13 TFL + QB hits per year in the same system in Carolina to 1 in Buffalo.

 

It reflects his lack of impact on the pocket.   What's that going to look like being a year older?    Or two years older?    The Bills again struggled to get sacks despite good pressure from Jerry Hughes.   They need more push AND more penetration from the DT's.  

 

Moving on from him could end up being a matter of roster numbers.........you'd hope they wouldn't have someone THAT unproductive in their rotation in 2020.      

 

 

[Aussie Joe]

19 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

There is also the matter of the $6M plus in unguaranteed 2020 base salary that they wouldn't have to pay out if they cut him next offseason.

 

They may only save $2M in "cap space" cutting him next offseason.........but that base salary still represents cap room spent.........and that's money saved immediately and will show up as cap savings going forward because you can roll over savings.

 

But it's more than a cap savings/dead money issue.

 

In a system where you need some plays from your DT's it's a problem that he went from always having 8-13 TFL + QB hits per year in the same system in Carolina to 1 in Buffalo.

 

It reflects his lack of impact on the pocket.   What's that going to look like being a year older?    Or two years older?    The Bills again struggled to get sacks despite good pressure from Jerry Hughes.   They need more push AND more penetration from the DT's.  

 

Moving on from him could end up being a matter of roster numbers.........you'd hope they wouldn't have someone THAT unproductive in their rotation in 2020.      

 

 

 

Ok... I see what you are saying..

 

They will save on his salary in 2020 so indeed it’s possible they could move on at the end of 2019...

 

Lets see if someone emerges this year from the draft or elsewhere to unseat him.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mat68]

The tackle he played with is an athletic freak.  Imo Lawerence is the least talked about tackle but may go earlier than some think.  I think Lawrence goes before Wilkins.  Honestly, it's a numbers game aswell.  Wilkins is a first rd talent at DT.  There are multiple guys on the defense interior, depending what defense you run Wilkins could be the 5th.  

[dollars 2 donuts]

I like this young man, but as others have stated boy is the film unimpressive.

 

I know he is quick, but it just looks like very single guy he is lined up in front of just plain doesn't try. 

 

I mean really looks like that is highlight really isn't as much as anything special he does, but just an indictment of how bad the guy he is playing against is.

[BeastMode54]

He's definitely a process guy, and "safe". I just don't think he will be BPA at 9. Beane looks for high ceiling early and while I like him, I just don't see it (although I wouldn't mind at all)

[John from Riverside]

I just think it is interesting that when the smoke clears....this could end up being the best DT out of this class when it is all said and done....COULD BE

 

Work Ethic

Talent

Consistancy

[GimmeSomeProcess]

This guys play and attitude reminds me so much of Kyle Williams and the question is, would Kyle be worth the 9th. I’d say yes!

[The Senator]

 

There’s nothing I don’t like about Christian Wilkins, just not at #9.

.

[FeelingOnYouboty]

I love Christian Wilkins. If we want him we better be ready to take him at #9 because the Packers and Dolphins have a huge hard on for him.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

I like him - but he doesn't help with the pass rush like Oliver and Williams are projected to.  He's a high motor guy, moves really well for a big man, and will probably be a top player that nobody knows about for quite a few years.  

[CajunBillsBacker]

If we are definitely going DT, I’m all for giving up next years 1st to move up and get Quinnen Williams, but if not, Wilkins is a solid backup plan.

[Logic]

On 4/21/2019 at 2:05 PM, Aussie Joe said:

 

Also, can I suggest if you look closely at Star’s contract he is here for another two years... Doesn’t make sense to me to cut him after this season for $8M dead money to save $2M... could you honestly say he could be replaced for $2M?

 

Who said anything about cutting Star? Star plays the 0-technique position. Wilkins would start alongside him at the 3-technique position. We are one quality defensive tackle short of a full rotation at this point, and McDermott loves his d-line rotation.

[John from Riverside]

35 minutes ago, CajunBillsBacker said:

If we are definitely going DT, I’m all for giving up next years 1st to move up and get Quinnen Williams, but if not, Wilkins is a solid backup plan.

We didnt give up future 1sts for Josh Allen for a reason........and if Beane isnt going to do it for a QB.....he is not doing it for ANYBODY

[YoloinOhio]

Would love this pick!!

[FeelingOnYouboty]

7 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Would love this pick!!

 

Me too. Has a chance to be a multiple Pro Bowler. Great in the locker room and in the community. Fits a need. Safe pick but that's not all that bad. I can see Wilkins and Edmunds being captains of the Defense for years.

 

 

[purple haze]

21 hours ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

I like this young man, but as others have stated boy is the film unimpressive.

 

I know he is quick, but it just looks like very single guy he is lined up in front of just plain doesn't try. 

 

I mean really looks like that is highlight really isn't as much as anything special he does, but just an indictment of how bad the guy he is playing against is.

He is a universally rated 1st round pick, in one of the most exclusive professional sports leagues in the world, for a reason.  I hate the lead up to the draft because players get picked apart so much it leaves people down on players when they really shouldn't be.

 

I'd prefer Williams or Oliver too, but Wilkins is no booby prize.  If the Bills take him you will be happy soon enough.  He's an excellent player and has been for quite a while.

Edited April 24, 2019 by purple haze

[LLCoolCy]

When I first say Wilkins rumored to be a possibility @ 9 I was underwhelmed (mainly due to being focused on Oliver or Williams), but I have been seeing there is a lot interest in other teams in the Top 10 and him even going as high as 6 to the G-Men in a couple of mocks.

I took a look at some prospect lists and he is considered a top ten talent in this class and would fill a major need of 3 tech DT for McD and I am warming to him being a very viable pick for Beane at 9 or move back a couple of spots. At least he wouldn't be a reach and would help give pressure presence on the D-line.

 

Gil Brants Top 150

# 10 Christian Wilkins, DT

School: Clemson | Year: Senior 
Wilkins had a very good pro-day workout. At the combine, he ran a 5.04 40 at 315 pounds. The very disruptive player won the William Campbell Trophy, a.k.a. the academic Heisman. The very high-character person has very good quickness for his size and is extremely flexible. He's a better pass rusher than run stopper. Random fact: Wilkins has seven siblings.

 

ESPN Scout 

# 5 Christian Wilkins, DT (Oliver is #8)

Pre-Draft Analysis

Wilkins is a polished pass-rusher with quick hands and an excellent motor. He is an active and disruptive run-defender who slips blocks and makes plays in pursuit. He plays in every facet of special teams and contributes as a lead blocker in some short-yardage packages.

 

Dane Brugler 

# 8 Christian Wilkins, DT

Lining up primarily over the B-gap, Wilkins became the school’s fifth unanimous All-American (2018) and the first Clemson player to win the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman. Moving differently than most his size, he uses his loose lower body, contact balance and active hands in conjunction to squirt through gaps. His high-character intangibles will be a strong selling point for an NFL team looking for a high-floor prospect. Overall, Wilkins is an inconsistent run defender, but his quickness, body flexibility and ball awareness lead to backfield production, projecting as a penetrating three-technique in a four-man base.

  

[YoloinOhio]

16 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

We didnt give up future 1sts for Josh Allen for a reason........and if Beane isnt going to do it for a QB.....he is not doing it for ANYBODY

I don’t think he will either but I think he was especially protective of the 2019 1st because he thought it could be top 10 and he was right 

[PIZ]

 

 

[YoloinOhio]

2 hours ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

 

Me too. Has a chance to be a multiple Pro Bowler. Great in the locker room and in the community. Fits a need. Safe pick but that's not all that bad. I can see Wilkins and Edmunds being captains of the Defense for years.

 

 

When did “safe” ever become a bad thing? Is lack of red flags a red flag now? I don’t shy away from risky picks where warranted but I  certainly don’t see “safe” as a negative. I saw some people not like the fact that he’s 24, Idgaf as long as he can play. His age might be more of an issue if he was a raw prospect but he’s not, so I don’t see why he’s not an automatic top 10-15 pick 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2019 by YoloinOhio

[SWATeam]

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

When did “safe” ever become a bad thing? Is lack of red flags a red flag now? I don’t shy away from risky picks where warranted but I  certainly don’t see “safe” as a negative. I saw some people not like the fact that he’s 24, Idgaf as long as he can play. His age might be more of an issue if he was a raw prospect but he’s not, so I don’t see why he’s not an automatic top 10-15 pick 

100%

 

Another pet peeve is when people say- "I'd take him at 15 but not at 9."  lol.  Like that matters....  Just get me good players.

[eball]

Just heard a brief interview with Wilkins; sounds like a really good dude.  Comes from a winning program, would absolutely be a "process" guy.

[Turk71]

22 hours ago, dneveu said:

I like him - but he doesn't help with the pass rush like Oliver and Williams are projected to.  He's a high motor guy, moves really well for a big man, and will probably be a top player that nobody knows about for quite a few years.  

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2019-nfl-draft-profile-di-christian-wilkins-clemson

[CNYfan]

I am conflicted but feel that this will be our draft choice at #9 tomorrow night.

 

Not much sizzle, but very solid.  Maybe  a little like the Shaq Lawson draft pick where I was hoping for better, but that was the best player at that time.

[JM57]

3 minutes ago, CNYfan said:

I am conflicted but feel that this will be our draft choice at #9 tomorrow night.

 

Not much sizzle, but very solid.  Maybe  a little like the Shaq Lawson draft pick where I was hoping for better, but that was the best player at that time.

Wilkins won't be the best player on the board at 9. I don't think he's a bad player. But he's not a good pick at 9. He's older for a rookie, his floor is high, but he's also probably pretty close to his ceiling. He's maxed out because he's 23 going on 24 and there's just not a ton of growth left for him. I could get behind him as a pick with a trade down but it's not something I can support at 9.

[YoloinOhio]

22 hours ago, dneveu said:

I like him - but he doesn't help with the pass rush like Oliver and Williams are projected to.  He's a high motor guy, moves really well for a big man, and will probably be a top player that nobody knows about for quite a few years.  

Wilkins was one of two players to rank in the top-five in both total pressures and defensive stops in 2018, showing he’s capable of being dominant regardless of the play