Dolphins free agent profile: WR Cedrick Wilson probably not returning in 2024

Dolphins fans probably shouldn’t expect him back in 2024.

The Miami Dolphins have 29 players who are slated to hit free agency in March, including a wide receiver who agreed to a reworked contract last year – Cedrick Wilson Jr.

Wilson, 28, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft following a collegiate career split between Coffeyville and Boise State that included an All-Mountian West final season.

After missing all of his rookie season, Wilson recorded 67 receptions for 837 yards and eight touchdowns over the next three years before signing a three-year deal worth $22.8 million with the Dolphins in 2022.

At the time, Wilson was signed to be the team’s second wideout behind Jaylen Waddle, but neither Wilson nor the team knew that Tyreek Hill would become available not much later, pushing the former Cowboy to the third spot on the depth chart.

In his first season, Wilson seemed to be passed by Trent Sherfield as Miami’s third wide receiver, but he did contribute in the return game, which was an area the Dolphins were definitely lacking. He finished the year with just 12 receptions for 136 yards.

After the down year, the two sides agreed to a reworked contract prior to the 2023 season, giving him a $3 million bonus and having his contract void at the end of the year.

This past season, he recorded 22 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns. While the timing of his plays seemed to be more important, it still wasn’t enough to justify his contract.

Now, Wilson hits the market at 28 years old, and his value is likely less than what it was when he became a free agent following his final year in Dallas where he took on a larger role.

Wilson said all of the right things during his time in Miami, but it wouldn’t be surprising to find out that he was frustrated with his role and lack of opportunities. So, even if the Dolphins were interested in bringing him back on a cheaper deal, it would make sense for him to want to maximize his value elsewhere.

Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier need to find depth at wide receiver, but they’ll likely have to find another veteran or someone in the draft to fill that role.

Ranking the top-10 free agent WRs for the Cowboys in 2024

The Cowboys may want to move on from Michael Gallup and bring in a veteran to fill the void, so here are the top-10 WR fits in free agency. | From @ReidDHanson

At face value the Cowboys may not appear to be a team in the market for WR talent. CeeDee Lamb led the NFL in receptions in 2023 and has become the workhorse WR through which this offense runs. Behind him is veteran speedster, Brandin Cooks, long-time Cowboy Michael Gallup, and ascending third-round pick, Jalen Tolbert. Factor in the presence of Jake Ferguson at TE, and there are a lot of mouths to feed in this Dallas passing offense.

But things will likely change in 2024. After posting just 34 receptions for 418 yards, the Cowboys may decide Gallup isn’t worth the price of admission. They could save $11,500,000 by designating him as a post-June 1 cut, freeing up money and providing new opportunities to new targets.

The Cowboys could employ a “next man up” approach to the situation. Pushing everyone up one peg in the hierarchy and avoiding outside change as much as possible. Or they could look to free agency to fill the predicted hole, adding a new skillset to the offense and aiming for a positive disruption in a tertiary role.

Chances are a WR brought in from free agency will serve a supportive role on offense. Things run best when Lamb is being fed at a high volume and the rest of the targets are divided out amongst the many playmakers across the ranks. Looking at the list of upcoming free agents it’s important to keep the desired role in mind.

The best options for Dallas won’t be the best options for everyone else because the Cowboys are specifically looking for a low-cost option to work behind Lamb and most likely Cooks. With that said, a big swing at WR isn’t preposterous in this “all in” season. Lamb isn’t making elite money quite yet and Cooks is a relative steal at $4,000,000.

Everything will be considered in this exercise.

4 soon-to-be free agents to watch in Chiefs vs. Dolphins

4 soon-to-be free agents for New Orleans Saints fans to watch in Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins, including former Ragin’ Cajuns OL Robert Hunt:

The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs boast two of the strongest rosters you’ll find around the NFL, and both teams have some pending free agents who could be of interest to the New Orleans Saints. With the Saints looking to get faster and more athletic defensively while improving their run game on offense, here are some players we’re watching closely during Saturday night’s wild-card round playoff game:

Fantasy football preview: Miami Dolphins wide receivers

Can Tua Tagovailoa get the most out of his talented receiving corps?

The Miami Dolphins wide receiving corps has undergone an epic turnaround in just 18 months as the team selected Jaylen Waddle with the sixth pick in the 2021 draft, made a blockbuster trade to acquire Tyreek Hill, and used free agency to add Cedrick Wilson.

These changes have put a lot of pressure on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to turn the offense around. This is a critical season for the third-year passer, because there can’t be any excuses since the front office has given him the talent to succeed.

Dolphins WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. could be a hidden key to their offense

He’s not on the top of everyone’s mind, but that’s what makes him dangerous.

The big-ticket items are always going to get more fanfare.

In all things, it’s flashy products and purchases that get people excited. If you’re a kid waiting for the groceries to come home, most look at the snacks and treats.

However, while fun and enjoyable, the real meat and potatoes of a grocery trip tend to get less publicity and celebration. At the same time, some of those purchases could be key to weekly, monthly or seasonal success or survival.

Following what seemed to be a trip to Costco and then a factory outlet mall, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier loaded up for at least a season or two with purchases and acquisitions such as Terron Armstead, Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and, of course, Tyreek Hill. On the way home, Grier couldn’t help but run into the Dollar Tree and scoop up a veteran linebacker.

Among the other moves that Grier made, like signing offensive lineman Connor Williams and said linebacker Melvin Ingram, there are a few additions that could prove as valuable as any when considering the task of the individual.

Enter Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The former Dallas Cowboy was an early free agent signing for the Dolphins back in March. Wilson had a fine 2021 season for Dallas, catching 45 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns. That’s a ratio of a score every 7.5 catches.

Going deeper into those catches is the timing and importance of them, as Wilson was a prominent chain-mover out of the slot position, converting 27 of those 45 passes into first downs. When taking a closer look at his early career, Wilson’s three NFL seasons have seen a nice, steady trajectory.

After missing his rookie season, he had just five catches on eight targets in barely any action through six games. 2020 saw an opportunity for more playing time, as he appeared in all 16 games, recording 17 receptions, 10 of which gained a new set of downs. He also hit the endzone twice, which is a similar ratio of a score every 8.5 catches.

2021 was a solid leap, more than doubling his catch production while gaining a respectable 602 yards. For what is arguably work from a fourth offensive weapon, these numbers are rather impressive. Wilson was reliable in 2021 with a catch rate of 73.8%. If we want to compare, Hill had a catch rate of 69.8% in 2021, and Jaylen Waddle hauled in passes at a 74.3% clip.

Add Mike Gesicki into a target crew that includes Waddle, Hill and Wilson, and quarterback Tua Tagovailao truly need not have to throw the ball too deeply to gain heavy yardage. The Dolphins are aiming for higher yards after catch numbers from all receivers, and Wilson specializes in this area as well.

The 26-year-old had an average yards-after-reception of 5.6 last season which compares favorably with teammates Waddle (4.2) and Hill (4.0). It’s fair to say that while Wilson could be far down on the target list of Tagovailoa, simply because of the company around him, the former Cowboy will seemingly ride with whatever opportunity he gets and make the most out of it.

Wilson also has the benefit of getting coached up by one of the best slot receivers to ever wear cleats in former Dolphin Wes Welker. The once New England Patriot and Denver Bronco, coached with new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel in San Francisco the last three seasons, and each and every Miami pass-catcher should be thrilled to learn from Welker.

After putting the full offense on paper, opponent questions will arise about who will cover who. Hill, Waddle and Gesicki give defenses nightmares, but please don’t sleep on Wilson, Jr.

When it comes to looking for an unsung, unheralded Dolphin with uncapped potential, look no further than Wilson, who may be a sneaky player to produce in important instances of the game. Look for Wilson to be a third-down fixture on a Miami offense that’s looking to be more potent than it has in decades.

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The NFL’s most underrated offensive players

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar reveals his All-Underrated offense heading into the 2022 NFL season.

In the NFL, players are underrated for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes, they’re second banana to a superstar whose deeds take up all the oxygen. Other times, it may be that the player has to climb up the depth chart as a little-regarded contributor, and the media hasn’t caught up yet. It’s also possible that the player has an incandescent talent that’s hidden by an unfavorable scheme. And it could also be that the player has had one great season, and everyone’s waiting to see if it’s a fluke.

If we were to assemble a team made out of underrated players, how far could that team go? Given the talent on this All-Underrated offense, we tend to think that opposing defenses would not enjoy their prospects.

Here’s what Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy thought of Cedrick Wilson Jr.

This is the kind of player the Dolphins are getting.

When the Miami Dolphins agreed to a three-year deal with Cedrick Wilson Jr. on the first day of the legal tampering period, many considered the move to be an interesting one.

Wilson, during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, was essentially their fourth wide receiver with Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb and Michael Gallup all ahead of him on the depth chart. However, when he got more opportunities, he made some plays.

Dak Prescott, his quarterback in Dallas, had nothing back positive things to say about him last season.

“He’s a great receiver, and he’s gonna be a great receiver for a long time,” Prescott said. “He’s probably one of our best-prepared receivers. He was once a QB so he kinda sees the game from that perspective as well.”

And, if the praise of one of the better quarterbacks in the league wasn’t enough, his former head coach, Mike McCarthy, also had compliments for him earlier this offseason

“I mean Cedrick, I’ve been with him two years, and I know he was someone that has taken some big jumps in his early years,” McCarthy said. “Love him as a player, love him as a person; extremely professional. With his father playing in the league, I think there is just a steady, calm confidence about him.

“There’s nothing that you can ask Ced to do that he [doesn’t] just step right in [and do]. He’s just an instinctive, aware, natural football player, obviously offensively. But he does a lot of the little things for us on special teams, too.”

These are probably some of the same things that general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel saw in Wilson that made him an attractive target for them. Now, the latter will just have to get him on the field and figure out the best way to use him.

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Analyzing the terms of Cedrick Wilson Jr.’s contract with the Dolphins

The wideout signed for three years, but it could end up being just two.

NFL free agency is underway, and the Dolphins have made a number of moves to improve their roster for 2022 and beyond.

One of the first moves they made during the league’s legal tampering period was to sign former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. During his time with the Cowboys, Wilson was primarily their fourth wide receiver behind Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb and Michael Gallup.

Due to injuries, Wilson saw a large uptick in opportunities last season, jumping from 20% of snaps in 2020 to 46% in 2021. This allowed him to set career-highs in receptions (45), yards (602) and touchdowns (six).

On Thursday, Wilson’s three-year contract worth $22.05 million became official. The deal includes $12.75 million guaranteed, $2.75 million of which is in the form of a signing bonus.

His salaries each year are $4 million (all guaranteed), $7 million ($5 million guaranteed), and $7.3 million. He also has a $1 million roster bonus this year and $500,000 annual incentives for receptions and yards.

Wilson’s cap hits are $5.92 million in 2022, $7.92 million in 2023, and $8.22 million in 2024. While the cap is expected to continue rising in the next few seasons, if the Dolphins aren’t happy with Wilson’s production, cutting him before the 2024 season would only incur $917,000 in dead cap.

For a fourth wide receiver, the money is probably more than most fans are comfortable with, but this is more of a projection. Right now, Wilson would be the third receiver on Miami’s depth chart, meaning he would see close to that 40% playtime threshold. And, when you add in the fact that he’s also completed eight passes and has some history with punt returns, there’s more value there than most would assume.

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ESPN Insider says this was one of his favorite moves of first day of legal tampering

It wasn’t one of the bigger names, but it’s being thought of positively.

The Miami Dolphins and many other teams were busy on the first day of the league’s legal tampering period.

General manager Chris Grier started off the day by re-signing defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah to a four-year deal and then agreed to terms with running back Chase Edmonds, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, special teamer Keion Crossen, and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr.

While only Ogbah’s deal can be finalized before the start of the new league year, it was the deal for the wide receiver that caught the eye of an ESPN Insider, as Field Yates called it one of his favorites of the day.

Wilson had career-highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (602) and touchdowns (eight) in 2021 due to Michael Gallup, Amari Cooper and Ceedee Lamb all missing at least a game during the season.

It looks like Wilson is destined for the third receiver role in Miami, but he has a skill set that the Dolphins could use to open things up for Tua Tagovailoa.

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2022 Free agency: Former Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson set to join Dolphins on 3-year deal

The Cowboys are set to have some fresh faces in the wide receiver room, as Cedrick Wilson agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins. | From @AsaHenry_55

Just a few short days ago, Dallas Cowboys fans were uncertain about who would be coming and going from their wide receiver room in 2022, but with three notable moves on three consecutive days, the dominoes are starting to fall.

Monday marked the first official day teams can negotiate with impending free agents, and the Miami Dolphins quickly agreed to terms with Cedrick Wilson, a deal worth reportedly $22.8 million over three years with $12.75 million guaranteed.

A much deserved multi-year contract for the former-sixth round selection from Boise State, as Wilson steadily improved over the last three seasons, culminating in last season where he made the most of Michael Gallup’s 10 missed games and nearly tripled his previous seasons’ production.

After piling up 602 yards and six receiving touchdowns on 45 catches in 2021, it was clear Wilson was capable of becoming a higher rung on the depth chart. Also completing five out of five passes on trick plays over the last two seasons, the versatile weapon proved to be another dangerous player that Dallas’ opponents had to account for.

Given the Cowboys current cap constraints, Wilson seeking his maximum value from an outside team became increasingly expected. Although the Dolphins deal with Wilson was still fairly affordable, the Cowboys have a number of high-profile free agents they seem to be prioritizing instead.

This news comes just two days after the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Browns which freed up $16 million in cap space, just one day after the club re-signed Michael Gallup to a five-year contract worth $62.5 million.

His departure leaves a hole in the roster which could be filled by 2021 draft pick Simi Fehoko.

Expect the Cowboys to see what budget free agent receivers are available after the dust settles in free agency, and add to the position at some point in the first few rounds of upcoming the NFL draft.

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