Christian Wilkins Pick A Big Win… And Creates Intriguing Questions
Christian Wilkins is a player similar to Minkah Fitzpatrick in tone and quality
With the addition of Christian Wilkins, the Miami Dolphins have nailed their 1st Round Pick for the second year in a row.
Strike up the Twilight Zone music, please.
As with 2018 1st Round Pick Minkah Fitzpatrick, Wilkins is more than just a talented football player, he’s an excellent man.
The combination of high talent and character is the only road to greatness in the NFL.
Wave your hand at this statement all you want, but football is a game that tests the spirit of a man as much as the body. Elite physical prowess is abundant in the NFL… elite humans… not so much.
Phins lost a great man in Cameron Wake, but they may have filled that hole of leadership with Wilkins.
If you don’t know Wilkins story, it ‘one-ups’ Fitzpatrick’s. Here is a 4 min crash course.
Now, I’m not saying Wilkins will achieve the production of Wake… the answer to that question is far off. But there is no questioning the quality of Wilkins character. The character and spirit of a man is a huge piece of the puzzle in NFL success. When you match talent with high character, success is certain.
The only question is how much success will he achieve?
Fans have lamented about the dysfunctional Dolphins culture for decades… Well, their team has just received another dose of the cure. Celebrate, Phindom… This franchise has taken one more step towards the light.
Now, as David Hyde stated,the sobering truth is we will measure Wilkins against Dwayne Haskins.
IF Haskins ends up a star talent, then no, Miami didn’t make the right choice. But he must be a star and not a middle of the pack QB. The best bet with the pay per head services that Wilkins will be a better Defensive Tackle that Haskins a quarterback.
Last month I stated that my first choice and the Dolphins focus in Round 1 was Wilkins.
Take that Jimmy Bourbon!
(Sorry, some of you guys hate my Gifs…. but I just couldn’t resist!)
Miami had trade back options, but the run on DTs could have been a factor in them standing pat and not wanting them to miss out on all the DT talent. Good thing too… they could have lost the opportunity to land both Lawrence and Wilkins.
Although, I liked Tillery as well, and he didn’t get picked till 26th.
Why was Wilkins an excellent pick?
- Bolsters a weak unit
- Brings character, leadership, passion, and clutch play.
- Is a potent pass-rushing force inside with a ‘Warren Sapp’ like style.
- Given his value, in most drafts, Wilkins is gone in the Top 10.
- A versatile player in a versatile scheme fills 5 Tech- 1 Tech role.
- 3 Down Player who will create a load of disturbance with Vincent Taylor in the Nickel.
- An agile player who can take full advantage of stunts.
But, Wilkins addition generates some intriguing questions as well
The Patriots defense is primarily a 2-Gap defense and Wilkins is best suited as a 1-Gap player. This creates a few interesting questions:
- Will Wilkins be expected to move to 2-Gap?
- Most see Brian Flores as ‘wanna’ be Beli’ clone… but will he go his own way and move to 1-Gap 3-4 Hybrid?
- Most curious, will Flores have a truly ‘multiple’ defense that is so balanced that they can play 1-2 Gap equally? This scenario could be a disaster or brilliant.
- Is Wilkins role as a D-line rover moving along the front in a 1-Gap attack.
How will Wilkins be deployed is a burning question now? Miami’s defensive scheme and philosophy was already an interesting plot line… Now, it’s truly popcorn worthy. The general response to the Patriots dominating defensive performance in the Super Bowl is that Grier was just a puppet on Belichick’s strings.
The other less accepted scenario is that Flores is brilliant himself.
It will be a while before we find out the truth, but the addition of Wilkins is an excellent… and also, interesting addition.
With Fitzpatrick and Wilkins, Flores has two ‘Queen’ type chess pieces as vehicles for his creativity. If he is truly a brilliant football mind, he has two amazing tools to carve a masterpiece.
The proof is always in the puddling… no matter how good something looks. I’m damn excited to give it a taste. How about you? Go Phins!!!
