The New York Giants are being featured on the latest iteration of "Hard Knocks" but a Las Vegas Raiders player was mentioned during the debut episode on Tuesday.
In it, Giants director of pro scouting, Chris Rossetti, said that Raiders defensive lineman Christian Wilkins isn't a difference-maker as a pass-rusher on third downs while the team contemplated adding him in free agency to beef up their pass rush.
“I don’t think he’s a difference-making pass rusher on third down we need opposite (Dexter Lawrence),” Rosetti said. “But a really good football player who will do well for himself.”
The problem with that take is it's dead wrong.
According to Touchdown Wire's Doug Farrar, via Sports Info Solutions, Wilkins ranked second in the NFL in third-down pressures among interior defensive linemen last season with 27, falling three short of the top mark.
That tied him with elite interior defenders like the Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones and the Indianapolis Colts' DeForest Buckner. Pretty good company, if you ask me.
Per @SportsInfo_SIS, third-down pressures from interior defensive linemen in the 2023 season:
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 3, 2024
1. Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: 30
2. Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins (tied with Chris Jones and DeForest Bucker): 27 https://t.co/udYe1EeqKx
Wilkins ended up having a career year with the Miami Dolphins, posting a career-best nine sacks. That led to Wilkins landing a massive four-year, $110 million deal from the Raiders in free agency.
With an awful take like Rossetti's, I'd be concerned about the scouting department in East Rutherford if I'm a Giants fan.
