Who will Muhammad Wilkerson sign with in 2016 NFL free agency?
Few players are more disruptive from the 3-4 defensive end position than Muhammad Wilkerson. Last season, the fifth-year pro out of the University of Temple notched a career-hgih 12 sacks, helping the Jets to a 10-6 record. Now, Wilkerson finds himself set to test free agency for the first time in his playing days. Let’s see what his case is for a big deal:
Vitals
Age: 26
Notable Stat: 36.5 career sacks
All-Pro teams: 2
Pro Bowls: 1
Contract comparison
The 3-4 defensive ends are looking at a broad pay spectrum. Wilkerson is a terrific player coming off a All-Pro season, but he is not going to get paid like J.J. Watt, who signed a six-year, $100 million deal with $51.876 million guaranteed. The next highest-paid player at that position is Cameron Heyward, who earned six years and $59.2 million this fall, with a guarantee of $15 million.
Wilkerson is likely to fall somewhere in between these numbers. He is going to get more guaranteed money than Heyward but certainly not hit the $100 million mark like Watt. At 26 years old, Wilkerson should be able to fetch a large deal that keeps him signed into his 30s.
Estimate: 6 years/$75 million/$31 million guaranteed
Does he stay?
The Jets are certainly the frontrunners to sign Wilkerson, although it is not a sure thing. New York has an odd cap situation, sitting at $14 million in cap space. The Jets also have nose tackle Damon Harrison and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on the free-agent market, two players they need to keep. Once you factor in the draft class, money is very tight.
With all that said, Wilkerson is the best player on New York’s roster. General manager Mike Maccagnan will do all he can. If the two sides are not close, perhaps he tags Wilkerson for $15.4 million, which would cripple the Jets’ cap situation. In that case, New York would likely release tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson to save $9 million and cornerback Antonio Cromartie for another $8 million.
If he leaves…
Teams will be doing cartwheels if Wilkerson hits the market. It is almost certain the Chicago Bears will be going after him heavily, along with the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams would be great fits and have plenty of cap space. Should the Kansas City Chiefs lose Jaye Howard, maybe they get involved. The Chiefs are a 3-4 team with cap space and would have a need, plus they employ Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator, who worked in New York with Wilkerson.