Could the Bucs add a former first-round pick DL in free agency?

A recent report from Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report noted that free agent defensive lineman Christian Wilkins intends to play in the 2026 season as he continues to rehab from a foot injury. With 26 teams reaching out to him and showing interest, the former first-round pick could become one of the more intriguing player rebound options on the market. When healthy, Wilkins has proven he can be an impact player along the interior throughout his NFL career.

During the 2023 season with the Miami Dolphins, he recorded 61 total pressures and 10 sacks while playing nearly 1,000 snaps, showcasing rare pass-rush production for an interior defender. Even in a shortened 2024 season, his efficiency remained solid, suggesting his dip in production was more tied to injury than to performance. The question for Tampa Bay isn’t talent; it’s his assumed role and total contract cost.

The Buccaneers already have a strong interior foundation with Vita Vea anchoring the middle, the newly signed A'Shawn Robinson and Calijah Kancey continuing to develop as a primary penetrator. Adding Wilkins wouldn’t signal a shift in identity, but rather a potential boost to the rotation. Wilkins’ time with the Raiders came to an early end in 2024 due to complications stemming from his injury and differences with the team, raising questions about his availability and fit.

Situations like that add a layer of uncertainty for teams, especially when it comes to how a player meshes in a locker room. Still, for a team like Tampa Bay, the decision would come down to weighing that risk against the upside he brings on the field. Given Tampa Bay’s limited cap space, any deal would likely be incentive-based, making this more of a calculated swing than a headline move.