NFL Scout Misses Mark with Evaluation of Former Clemson Standout

After Christian Wilkins hit the free agent market, Dexter Lawrence attempted to get New York to reunite the former Clemson teammates on the Giants’ defensive line. Lawrence even went as far as texting general manager Joe Schoen about Wilkins.

New York would choose not to sign Wilkins, with the reason being revealed on an episode of Hard Knocks earlier this week.

“I don’t think he’s a difference making pass rusher on third down,” the scout said. “Which is what we need opposite Dex. But he’s a really good football player that will do well for himself.”

In hindsight, the Giants’ evaluation of Wilkins seems to miss the mark, and by a fairly wide margin. In 2023, Wilkins tied for second among NFL interior linemen with 27 third-down QB pressures. Only Quinnen Williams (30) registered more than Wilkins.

Wilkins finished with 5.5 sacks on third down, in addition to those 27 pressures, giving him a pressure rate of 19-precent, and would end up signing a four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

A first-round pick (13th overall) of the Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft, Wilkins has played in 81 career games and made 77 starts while racking up 353 tackles (202 solo), 20.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in his pro career to date.

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