New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins agree on long-term deal for Wilkins

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans’ Wilkins, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound tight end, is scheduled to receive a five-year, $45 million contract extension with the Saints.

Wilkins signed a four-year deal with the Dolphins in March after spending the previous two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Wilks is one of several players to join the Saints and the Dolphins during a busy offseason.

Saints tight end Zach Strief was also signed to a five year contract extension that was worth $40 million.

The Saints also signed tight end Austin Hooper, a fifth-round pick from North Carolina, to a two-year contract extension.

Hooper is expected to compete with Strief for playing time.

Strief, a first-round draft pick in 2012, was a backup for the Saints last season.

Hoopers backup, rookie fullback Ryan Yurachek, has been limited in practice this offseason.

The Dolphins’ Wilks, who played for the Seahawks and Redskins, has made at least two Pro Bowls.

The NFL’s all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, Wilkins had a career-high 5,837 receiving yards last season for the Seattle Seahawks.

Wilkes career best was 4,037 yards in 2011.