The Raiders were reportedly interested in trading for Jets’ defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson a year ago, and according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the team’s interest in acquiring Wilkerson is no less today.
Without a new deal, Wilkerson will enter free agency in March, although the Jets are reportedly leaning toward using the franchise tag if they can’t reach a long-term deal with Wilkerson’s agent. Unfortunately for the Jets, the franchise tag wouldn’t be ideal for their already complicated salary cap situation.
La Canfora is reporting that if the Jets allow Wilkerson to become a free agent, the Raiders are ready to “pounce on him” and even if the Jets use the franchise tag, a trade with Oakland isn’t out of the question.
Wilkerson is coming off arguably his best NFL season with a career-high in sacks (12). Still only 26, Wilkerson won’t come cheap to anyone despite the fact that he suffered a broken leg in the final game of the regular season.
The Jets have until March 1 to use their franchise tag. The cost to place the franchise tag on Wilkerson is expected to be around $16 million.
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