Christian Wilkins won’t get Dolphins franchise tag in intriguing NFL free agency twist

Add an unexpected big name to the NFL free-agent market.

The Dolphins are not expected to franchise tag defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to a report Sunday from ESPN, after indications earlier in the offseason that he would be kept off the market by the one-year contract.

Tuesday is the deadline for NFL teams to use their one tag apiece.

Wilkins, 28, is coming off the best season of his five-year career, recording career-highs of 23 quarterback hits and nine sacks. He has started all 51 games over the last three seasons.

The former first-round pick has never been an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, but it won’t be a surprise if he is seeking a contract near the top of a market that was set last season.

Four defensive tackles – the Jets’ Quinnen Williams, the Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, the Commanders’ DaRon Payne and the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence – all received four-year contracts worth at least $87.5 million.

Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are the first two players expected to be tagged this offseason.

Sneed reportedly is on board with a trade if he and the Chiefs cannot work out an extension, as they prioritize getting an extension done first with defensive tackle Chris Jones.

The tag for defensive tackles is worth $22.1 million.

The Dolphins are $31 million over the $255.4 million salary cap, according to spotrac.com, and need to get under it by March 13.

General manager Chris Grier expressed an interest in keeping Wilkins last week at the NFL combine.

“I think all options are on the table for us,” Grier said. “I’m just being very transparent with it. He has earned [a contract]. He’s had a great season. So we’ll see what happens here as we talk over the next couple of weeks.”