How far does the 2024 free-agent signing slide?
Defensive tackle is an interesting position for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into the 2025 season. When healthy, Christian Wilkins is one of the best interior defenders in the AFC West and the entire NFL, for that matter. However, Wilkins’ injury casts some doubt on his standing, while also giving Adam Butler a chance to rise up the ranks this fall.
So, where do Wilkins and Butler stand in Silver and Black Pride’s preseason AFC West defensive tackle rankings?
1. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
2024 Stats: 37 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 TFLs
The six-time All-Pro selection will have a gold jacket hanging in his closet one day and is still playing at a high level. While Jones posted his lowest sack total since his rookie season last year, he still ranked second among defensive tackles with 74 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That kept his streak going of three consecutive seasons with more than 70 pressures. The 31-year-old might be at the tail end of his career, but he still reigns supreme as the top defensive tackle in the division and one of the best in the league.
2. Zach Allen, Denver Broncos
2024 Stats: 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 15 TFLs
Allen hasn’t gotten much recognition; last year was his first All-Pro selection (second-team), and he still hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl roster, but he’s been a quality defensive tackle for several years. Per PFF, the six-year veteran has ranked tied for 20th (35) in pressures among the NFL’s interior defenders, eighth (60) and first (75) over the last three seasons, respectively. He’s also a solid run defender, finishing in the top 10 for ‘defensive stops’ during his two campaigns in Denver.
3. Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images
2024 Stats: 17 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL
As referenced above, Wilkins’ broken foot threatens his availability for the upcoming season, which means he could slide further down this list at the end of the year. The injury limited him to just five games (four and a half, really) in 2024 and has already caused him to drop one spot in the division rankings. However, when healthy, Wilkins is a great run defender who still deserves recognition. For example, he ranked tied for eighth among defensive tackles with seven defensive stops against the run and was second with an 80.2 PFF run defense grade before suffering the foot injury last season. On top of that, the free-agent signing had a career year as a pass-rusher in 2023, collecting nine sacks and 58 pressures. If he can return to form this fall, he can be a top 10 player at his position in the entire league.
4. John Franklin-Myers, Denver Broncos
2024 Stats: 40 tackles, 7 sacks, 8 TFLs
The Broncos have a pair of impressive defensive tackles, especially as pass-rushers. Denver was the only team in the NFL to have two interior defenders finish in the top 10 for pressures last season, as Franklin-Meyers was tied for ninth with 53, via PFF. Even more impressively, he was the only player in the top 10 to rush the passer fewer than 400 times (368 pass-rush snaps) and has collected 50 or more pressures in each of the last five seasons. Not bad for the second-best interior pass-rusher on the team.
5. Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
2024 Stats: 65 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 TFLs
The Raiders needed someone to step up after Wilkins’ injury last season, and Butler answered the call. He started 16 games for the first time in seven seasons and recorded a career high in tackles, nearly double his previous best of 34. The veteran also posted personal bests with 31 pressures (tied for 35th among NFL DTs) and with 32 defensive stops (11th). That’s good enough to earn a spot in the top five AFC West defensive tackle rankings heading into the fall.
Honorable Mentions: D.J. Jones (DEN), Teair Tart (LAC), Mike Pennel (KC)