Rating the four-year, $110 million deal that Christian Wilkins signed with the Raiders…

Inconsistency, unfulfilled expectations, and negative national headlines have made it difficult to take the Las Vegas Raiders seriously, despite their recent attempts to make several franchise-altering moves both within the organization and in terms of player personnel. However, Allegiant Stadium will be buzzing with excitement this year, especially after the big Christian Wilkins signing.

Dare I say, this feels like a new era of Silver and Black football. Admittedly, that sounds premature and probably silly to say given Vegas’ murky quarterback situation. Even after adding Gardner Minshew, there are still concerns about this passing attack. The loss of running back Josh Jacobs cannot be routinely dismissed, either. Though, that is exactly why the Raiders’ offseason approach makes perfect sense.

They may build on their strengths even if it’s unlikely that the personnel issues will be significantly resolved in NFL free agency. This team’s lack of a distinct identity is one of its biggest intangibles. Now that Antonio Pierce, a former Super Bowl-winning linebacker, is the full-time head coach, the Raiders’ defense ought to come to embody “The Raider Way.”

At least, after arriving on Monday with a mission, it appears like new general manager Tom Telesco shares that approach. But did he and the team make the appropriate defensive player investment by spending that much money?

We’ll render a decision and assign a grade about Christian Wilkins’ Raiders contract.