Dolphins land Clemson's Wilkins No. 13 overall
The Miami Dolphins selected defensive lineman Christian Wilkins out of Clemson with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Wilkins was a unanimous All-American last season, leading the Tigers to their second national championship in three years. Known for his relentless motor, he posted 51 tackles and six sacks in the middle of Clemson's vaunted defensive line.
The 23-year-old should immediately bolster a Dolphins defense that gave up the second-most rushing yards a season ago and finished in the bottom half of the league against the pass.
Miami had an opportunity to address its quarterback position, but opted for Wilkins over Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
Prospect profile
School: Clemson
Height: 6-3
Weight: 315 lbs
Strengths
- Excellent four-year career with the Tigers
- Uses hands well to stack and shed offensive lineman in run defense
- Quick burst and excellent body control to shoot through gaps
- Versatile - has been used on the edge and is effective on stunts/twists
- Developed as an interior pass-rusher with a number of go-to moves
- Enough power to push the pocket at the point of attack
- Nose for the football and batted down a number of passes
- Light and nimble feet with good lateral quickness
- Flexible and always wins leverage battle
- Strong tackler that rarely whiffs
Weaknesses
- Offensive linemen with superior length have given him trouble
- Average athlete for his position
- Lacks quality anchor for a two-gap scheme
- Ineffective versus double-teams
Bottom line
Wilkins is a pro-ready prospect with a number of desirable and translatable traits. The two-time college football champion has excelled in every phase of the game to date and is a tough locker room leader. Wilkins' upside may be limited due in large part to his below-average athleticism and lack of ideal length, but he rarely loses one-on-one battles in the trenches. A sure tackler with excellent one-gap skills, Wilkins is one of the safest prospects in this year's class.