The Las Vegas Raiders surprised the world by releasing Christian Wilkins on Thursday. His rehab for his Jones fracture in his foot did not meet the team's expectations, and he parted ways after one year.
The loss of Wilkins leaves a hole in a highly regarded defensive line before his release. Now a player has to step up in his role and become the three technique next Maxx Crosby and help keep him from double and triple teams. A young player emerging is Jonah Laulu, a second-year defender from Oklahoma.
Laulu was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.