The Detroit Lions entered the offseason with plenty of questions after failing to make the playoffs in 2025. Not only has their offensive line undergone some changes due to the departures of veterans Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow, but defense was a major area of focus after an injury-plagued season.
Detroit has already lost key players like Alex Anzalone, Amik Robertson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Roy Lopez during free agency and has not re-signed D.J. Reader. There may be a potential option for the Lions to pursue, though, after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday that free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins "fully intends to play this season." Although the 30-year-old is still rehabbing a foot injury, "26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready."
That clearly sounds like Wilkins will find a new home next season as soon as things materialize. However, as someone who refused to undergo a second surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot and has been accused of inappropriate behavior, this could be a risky move considering how his tenure ended with the Las Vegas Raiders.
With that said, signing him to a one-year deal could be a decent low-risk, high-reward situation for a Lions team looking to improve its run defense from last season.
Lions Could Consider Low-Risk, High-Reward Christian Wilkins Signing
The Lions were a fairly middle-of-the-road team against the run, allowing 114.5 rushing yards per game (14th), 4.4 yards per carry (T-21st), and 16 touchdowns on the ground (T-16th).
Wilkins was not exactly spectacular with the Raiders in 2024, with just 17 total tackles and two sacks in five games. However, he was a force with the Miami Dolphins in the 2023 season and could help them make some gains in that area.
Wilkins had 65 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, and 58 pressures while appearing in all 17 regular-season games in 2023. Even before that, he was just as effective with 187 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 10 passes defended in the two years prior. That's without bringing up his 205 run stops in six seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now that Lopez has signed with the Arizona Cardinals and the defensive front has been tweaked, there are some depth concerns for Detroit to address, especially considering Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike are both coming off torn ACLs.
It is also important to remember that Wilkins has not played since October of 2024, so there is no guarantee he will return to form. At the same time, with few options at DT in free agency and a subpar draft class at the position, it is understandable that teams with interior concerns would be interested in the one-time Pro Bowler.
As long as he can prove that he is healthy, there are signs of how dominant Wilkins can be and why he could be a key addition to the Lions' defensive line. The upside is there, and all that's left is for general manager Brad Holmes to decide if a potential partnership is worth the risks.