What are the best team fits for these Clemson pros who are slated to hit free agency?

ESPN recently published an article (subscription required) naming one free agent each NFL team should sign, and among the players listed are former Tiger defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and DJ Reader.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz sees Wilkins as the best match for the Cleveland Browns.

“Cleveland’s defense was a primary reason the Browns were able to overcome injuries and make the playoffs, but they need help on the defensive line,” Schatz wrote. “Defensive tackles Shelby Harris, Jordan Elliott and Maurice Hurst II are all free agents, leaving a space open next to Dalvin Tomlinson. Wilkins had nine sacks, 35 pressure and 63 combined tackles for the Dolphins last season. He ranked 13th in pass rush win rate among interior linemen while taking on a lot of double-teams, and he’s a very strong run defender.”

Of course, a move to Cleveland would reunite Wilkins with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The two were teammates at Clemson in 2015 and 2016.

ESPN reported over the weekend that Wilkins is expected to avoid the franchise tag, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has amassed 355 tackles (43 for loss) and 20.5 sacks across five seasons with the Dolphins since being drafted by the franchise in the first round (13th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.

With Wilkins and other Dolphin D-linemen headed for free agency, ESPN suggested Reader as the important free agent Miami should sign.

“Defensive tackles Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Da’Shawn Hand are free agents this offseason, so the Dolphins are going to need help up front. Why not steal from another top AFC contender while shoring up the middle of their defense?” Schatz wrote. “Reader doesn’t get big stats, but he does soak up double-teams and is an even stronger pass-rusher than he is a run-stopper. Note that Reader suffered a torn quadriceps injury in Week 15, so the Dolphins would want to make sure he’s ready to go for the start of the 2024 season before making this signing.”

In 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2023 season prior to the aforementioned season-ending injury, Reader recorded 34 tackles (two for loss), a sack, seven quarterback hits, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.

Since entering the league in 2016 after being drafted in the fifth round (166th overall) that year by the Houston Texans, the 6-foot-3, 335-pounder has racked up 277 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks over his career with the Texans and Bengals.

NFL free agency officially begins on March 13.

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