Raiders' Wilkins Was the 13th Overall Pick in 2019

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was selected 13th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Silver Black have pick No. 13 in this year's NFL Draft.

Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Christian Wilkins (Clemson) is selected as the number thirteen / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft will look to use it on a very talented young player who can make an impact right away, whether offensively or defensively.

Ironically, one of the Raiders' offseason acquisitions was a former 13th overall selection -- defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Las Vegas signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110-million deal this 2024 NFL free agency.

Wilkins was selected 13th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, with whom he played five seasons. He recorded 355 total tackles, 204 solo tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, eight passes defended and one interception in his 81 games as a Dolphin.

In his final season with Miami, Wilkins posted 65 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, 10 for loss and 9.5 sacks.

Wilkins finished the 2023-24 NFL season with a 74.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, a 71.5 run-defense grade and a 72.8 pass-rush grade.

On a "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast," episode from March 12, our Hondo Carpenter Sr. was joined by Alain Poupart, writer and publisher at alldolphins.com, who discussed the sixth-year veteran defensive tackle.

"He's a leader," Poupart said. " ... And certainly, when I say he's not Aaron Donald, he's not Chris Jones, I certainly don't want to downplay him. He's a very good player. He was a foundational piece for the Dolphins. When the Dolphins really basically blew everything up in 2019, dumped a whole bunch of veterans, and stocked up on cap space, Christian Wilkins was their first-round pick, the first guy, 13th overall, and he came in, and he was very solid from the start. He got better and better, every year, he got better, particularly as a run defender. ... He became more and more of a leader."

Some notable former NFL players drafted 13th overall in the first round were Hall-of-Fame defensive lineman Bob Lilly, Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and Donald, a future Hall of Famer and 10-time Pro-Bowl defensive tackle.

The entire March 12 episode of the "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast" can be watched here.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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