The Dolphins finally tipped their vision of how they want to build the roster by selecting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on Thursday night. General manager Chris Grier appears to like players that are not only talented, but also known for their intelligence.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Minkah Fitzpatrick last year was his preparation off the field. His work ethic was considered unmatched, stemming from a youth of working with his father.
Wilkins, by the same token, is not only a freak athlete on the field, but he is also considered very intelligent — as his William V. Campbell award would suggest. The William V. Campbell award is a high honor, rewarding a player for his work in the classroom.
Like Fitzpatrick, Wilkins is considered a high-character player that comes from a winning program. This marks two years in a row that Grier has selected a high-character player coming off of a national championship. The message of what the Dolphins want is clear: talented, high-character players. They want guys that will work both on and off the field.
