Tag: Cedrick Wilson

4 free agents receivers Texans should consider

The Houston Texans may need to dip into free agency to address receiver. Here are four free agent wideouts the Texans should take a look at.

The Houston Texans have plenty of decisions to make across their roster as they get ready for the 2022 season.

One area where the Texans will need to address vacancies is receiver. Currently, Chris Moore, Chris Conley, and Danny Amendola are scheduled to be free agents when the new league begins in March. The trio accounted for 67 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns combined.

If the Texans decide to bring in new, veteran faces to complement Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, here are four players who the Texans should look at. All contract numbers are according to Spotrac from the 2021 season.

Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson’s season-long heroics earn recognition for the unsung

Cedrick Wilson was called upon several times to fill voids at wide receiver for the Cowboys in 2021, and he delivered repeatedly. | From @StarConscience

The Cowboys have one of the better receiving corps in the NFL headlined by Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. Or had. In 2021, all three missed time at some point due to either injury or COVID protocols. For most teams that would be a crippling thing to deal with. However, the Cowboys still managed to produce the league’s top offense in points and yards because they had a secret weapon to pick up the slack.

Cedrick Wilson finished with 45 receptions for 602 yards and six yards touchdowns this season, which nearly tripled his totals in all three categories in 2020. Also, his 13.4 yards per catch was second on the Cowboys to the aforementioned Lamb (13.9). Each season, every team has a player who goes beyond what he’s expected to do. NFL.com writer Nick Shook compiled a list of unsung heroes from each NFC team for 2021. After a career year, Wilson was selected for this distinction in Dallas.

Shook on Wilson’s season:

“An overlooked receiver in a star-laden offense, Wilson grabbed his opportunities with a vise grip, catching 45 of his 61 targets for 602 yards and six touchdowns and twice breaking 100 receiving yards in front of national audiences. The first time — Dallas’ heartbreaking 36-33 loss on Thanksgiving day to the Las Vegas Raiders — he hauled in seven passes for 104 yards, and the second time — a Saturday night blowout win over Philadelphia — he led all pass-catchers with 119 yards and two touchdowns on five grabs. He didn’t get a ton of attention from opposing defenses due to the presence of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, but when he was asked to fill in for them, Wilson followed through. He posted a catch rate over expected of +18.6 percent on targets of 10-plus air yards, the third-highest mark in the NFL (min. 20 such targets). Wilson is headed to free agency and is likely to find a new home (and a pay increase) with a team looking for a receiver who can contribute when called upon.”

The 2018 sixth-round draft pick had a rough start to his career. Wilson suffered a torn labrum during training camp of his rookie campaign and was placed on injured reserve. After being released in August of 2019, Wilson was signed to the practice squad in early September and added to the active roster a few weeks later.

He appeared in six games but only registered five receptions for 46 yards before being placed on injured reserve that December due to a knee injury. In 2020, Wilson only tallied 17 receptions for 189 yards but 107 of them as well as two touchdowns came in a Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and the rumblings of could he be a significant part of the Cowboys’ offense began. He also became the Cowboys trick-play artist, throwing a touchdown pass to Dak Prescott in Week 5 and also being involved in multiple special teams plays.

The 2021 season was the perfect time for Wilson to rise to the occasion seeing as he was in a contract year. His performance showed that he could be trusted to handle a heavy load if need be.

With Gallup also headed for free agency and Cooper’s future uncertain due to his $20 million a year salary, Wilson made a strong case to be retained in 2022, especially seeing as his price tag will be smaller.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys’ Cedrick Wilson earned a lot of trust with his play in 2021

Cedrick Wilson performed well in the absence of Michael Gallup and gave the Cowboys a viable option if the latter leaves in free agency. | From @StarConscience

Wide receiver Michael Gallup is one of the most important free agents decisions for the Dallas Cowboys to decide on as free agency approaches. He suffered a calf strain during the season opener that cost him eight games. However, that created a huge opportunity for the Cowboys’ No. 4 option in the passing game, Cedrick Wilson.

Wilson, a pending free agent as well, was able to prove he was much more than just a trick-play executer. Wilson tallied 45 receptions on 61 targets (73.8%) for 602 yards and six touchdowns (tied for second on the team). For a guy that’s fourth on the depth at wide receiver that’s quite impressive.

When the Cowboys hit the road to take on the New England Patriots in Week 6, it was a back and forth battle all game. Dallas found themselves down 29-26 with just over two minutes to go. On a 4th and 4, from their 35, quarterback Dak Prescott found Wilson for a 13-yard gain. Dallas would kick a game-tying field goal and ultimately win 35-29 in overtime on a walk-off touchdown by CeeDee Lamb.

Wilson continued to show he could be trusted two weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings, again on the road. With Prescott absent due to a calf strain, the Cowboys started backup Cooper Rush. Wilson caught all three of his targets for 84 yards, incliuding a 73-yard touchdown, and also completed a 35-yard pass to Lamb in the third quarter, talk about versatility.

The Cowboys suffered a tough, 36-33 loss in overtime on Thanksgiving to the Las Vegas Raiders. Gallup led the Cowboys with 106 yards receiving. However, with Amari Cooper being out due to COVID and Lamb being sidelined with a concussion, Wilson once again showed he can step up and play big by registering 104 receiving yards on seven receptions making it the second time in his career he went over the century mark.

This speaks to the incredible depth the Cowboys have at the receiver position. The top option in the passing game, Cooper, spoke about how Wilson is capable of shouldering the load when his number is called.

“Like I always talk about, the biggest reason why this team is good is because of the depth we have. Ced is an example of that,” Cooper said. “Somebody goes down, unfortunate that MG went down, Ced can just step in and get the job done. Same for pretty much every position across the board.”

Gallup returning to the Cowboys became a lot more reasonable once he suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 as teams may be cautious on signing him to a lucrative long-term contract. Even if he is retained, possibly on a one-year prove-it deal, Wilson made enough waves in 2021 to be brought back as well. This would give the Cowboys a four-headed monster at receiver if Gallup returns, or a formidable trio if Wilson is the only one of the two who remains in Dallas.

The Cowboys have an abundance of free agents on the roster so it’s certain that not all of them will return in 2022. However, Wilson won’t cost a lot to keep, and his production this season warrants tons of consideration for a new deal with the Cowboys.

[listicle id=692591][listicle id=691052][lawrence-newsletter]

WATCH: Cowboys break franchise scoring mark with Prescott-Wilson TD

The Cowboys marched down the field for a first-drive TD to Cedrick Wilson, the last being in Week 10. | From @CDBurnett7

Fast starts have been few and far between for a Dallas offense that has looked subpar to their standards since the bye week. The Cowboys had failed to score a first-drive touchdown since Week 10 and finally broke the curse in Philadelphia.

Following a first-drive touchdown from the Eagles, quarterback Dak Prescott got right to business and went 5-for-6 on his first drive, his only incompletion being a dropped pass by wide receiver Cedrick Wilson on third down in opposing territory. After a fourth-down conversion, Prescott went back to Wilson on a rub route that left him wide open and he waltzed in for a 15-yard score.

It was Dallas’ 10th straight touchdown in the red zone on the season, and set Dallas’ franchise single-season scoring record, with 486. They had been tied with the 1983 team entering the contest.

The touchdown is a sight for sore eyes after a slew of ugly starts from Kellen Moore’s offense and the success hinged on Prescott finding his biggest playmakers in wide receivers Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb for three catches and 33 yards. Dallas’ score ties the game at 7 in Lincoln Financial Field.

[vertical-gallery id=690413][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup out for year with torn ACL

The pending free agent made a special catch, as is his modus operandi. Unfortunately it ended his season. What’s next for him, and the Cowboys WR corps.

The worst was feared immediately, watching Michael Gallup grab his knee instead of celebrating his second-quarter touchdown. Upon replay, the injury was realized. As Gallup planted to rise to catch a back-shoulder fade from quarterback Dak Prescott, his left knee buckled. Gallup was checked out by the training staff, and the test they were doing on the knee (anterior drawer) was clear what was happening.

Gallup went into the blue medical tent on the sideline, then went into the locker room. The team quickly announced he was ruled out for the game and now after the game it’s been confirmed. Gallup tore his left ACL in the 25-22 defeat and is done for the year.

Gallup has had a rough season. He strained his calf in Week 1’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missing the next eight weeks before returning face his hometown Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. Gallup’s catch was just his second touchdown of the season, which is tough as he is set to enter the free agent market.

He finishes his year with 35 catches for 445 yards and the two scores.

Dallas got accustomed to working without Gallup and fortunately for them the cupboard isn’t bare behind him. They will certainly miss his ability to go up and make catches like the one he was injured on, but Cedrick Wilson has played well in his absence this year. Wilson caught a touchdown and an extra-point conversion on Sunday, as well as completed a big pass to Tony Pollard.

Wilson now has 40 receptions, 483 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns while having three completions for 88 passing yards. He is the Cowboys’ trick-play specialist and having him in the game as part of the three-receiver rotation with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb could disguise those trick plays even more.

Behind Wilson, Malik Turner has had a very strong season as well with 12 receptions for 149 yards and three scores of his own. It doesn’t sound like much, but Turner is WR6 for Dallas.

Still, Gallup will be a tough loss. Many expected him to price his way out of Dallas this season, but while many fans are thinking his final catch with the Cowboys will be that touchdown, his late-season injury could bring him back on an inexpensive one-year deal.

[vertical-gallery id=689625][lawrence-newsletter]

WATCH: Cowboys cut into 4th quarter lead with Cedrick Wilson TD grab

Dallas took the short field thanks to the defense and special teams and converted it into a Prescott-Wilson touchdown to chop into the lead. | From @CDBurnett7

The Dallas Cowboys found themselves down 22-7 late in the third quarter, having struggled on both sides of the ball for most of the game. After another three-and-out from the offense, Dallas got some help from their opportunistic defense. Defensive ends Randy Gregory and Dorance Armstrong combined on a pressure of Kyler Murray and Armstrong finished the job to give the offense back the ball.

Adding to the help, the special teams has been impressive and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has just a single catch, returned the short punt 17 yards to the Arizona 31. Quarterback Dak Prescott put together a solid drive, albeit didn’t look pretty but a huge 4th-down conversion from Prescott led to a touchdown throw to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.

Dallas had a delay-of-game on the 2-pt conversion attempt and kicker Greg Zuerlein came out and snuck in the extra-point after missing a 43-yard field goal early in the contest. Now, the Cowboys sit eight points behind with over 13 minutes left to come back.

Cowboys’ activate WR4 Cedrick Wilson from COVID reserve list ahead of Giants game

Cedrick Wilson became the fastest Cowboys player to be activated off of the Reserve/COVID list on Friday after testing positive on Monday. | From @StarConscience

The Dallas Cowboys are riding a two-game win streak into MetLife Stadium on Sunday as they take on the New York Giants with a possibility of clinching a playoff spot with some help.

Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was placed on the Reserve/COVID list on Monday which put in question if he was going to be available for this division showdown. However, after two negative tests, he will make his return against the Giants.

Getting Wilson back gives quarterback Dak Prescott his top four receivers which will aid in him returning to the level he’s accustomed to playing at after struggling for several weeks. This is bad news for the Giants secondary after they had several players added to the Reserve/COVID list this week.

Wide receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Noah Brown have all contracted COVID since late August. Wilson’s four-day return is the fastest of the group and for any Cowboys player this season.

Cowboys’ Tyron Smith ruled out vs Giants, Cedrick Wilson added to COVID list

Smith re-injured the same ankle that kept him out for three games. Cedrick Wilson heads to the Reserve/COVID list. | From @StarConscience

The Dallas Cowboys picked up a huge win against the Washington Football Team on Sunday to improve their record to 9-4 on the season and 3-0 in NFC East play. However, they did not escape the game unscathed.

Left tackle Tyron Smith, who missed three games earlier this season with an ankle issue, re-aggravated it against Washington and has already been ruled out Sunday against the New York Giants. Meanwhile, WR Cedrick Wilson finds himself on the Reserve/COVID list which puts his availability for Sunday in jeopardy as well.

With Smith out head coach Mike McCarthy stated the team will look to decide whether they will play Ty Nsekhe, who finished the game for Smith, or move Terence Steele back into the role.

La’El Collins will continue to hold down the right tackle spot.

Smith hasn’t had the best luck this season as both times he’s injured his ankle it was caused by a teammate stepping on it. However, According to McCarthy, Smith shouldn’t have to go under the knife.

“I don’t think it’s a surgical situation,” McCarthy said.

The Cowboys hope it’s just a one-game type of situation as they look to lock up one of the top NFC seeds in the playoffs in the coming weeks.

Wilson has put together his best season in the NFL. He’s racked up 32 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns, and his 13.7 yards per catch rank second on the team to CeeDee Lamb. Wilson caught a big 73-yard touchdown in the Cowboys’ win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7 and had the second 100-yard game of his career albeit in a losing effort on Thanksgiving against the Las Vegas Raiders.

There is hope Wilson could play Sunday.

With Amari Cooper and Keanu Neal being the only players on the Cowboys that aren’t vaccinated, Wilson can come off the COVID list with two negative tests within 24 hours of each other.

[vertical-gallery id=688007][listicle id=687939][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson nursing ankle injury, misses second straight practice

Cedrick Wilson suffered an ankle injury against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thanksgiving threatening his availability. | From @StarConscience

Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson had the second 100-yard game of his career against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thanksgiving, but it came at a price. Wilson suffered an ankle injury during the game and he was the only member of the Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster to miss practice on Monday. He followed that up with another absence on Tuesday making his availability for Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Saints in doubt.

Wilson stepped into the WR3 role once Michael Gallup suffered a calf injury in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s fifth on the team in targets (44), fifth in receptions (30), fourth in yards (420), fourth in receiving touchdowns (3), and second in yards per catch (14.0) for the Cowboys this season. With Gallup returning to the lineup two weeks ago coupled and CeeDee Lamb (concussion) set to return from missing a week, Wilson and Amari Cooper are the standing question marks for now. If Cooper is activated from the COVID list, Wilson will resume his WR4 duties in which he’s as good as any receiver in the NFL at that spot when he himself is available.

The Cowboys signed Wilson to a one-year contract in April so he is playing for a possible new deal in 2022. His performance so far in 2021 is giving him a strong case to return to Dallas. With six games left, the Cowboys need him to continue to be productive as they look to wrap up the NFC East and a playoff birth in the coming weeks.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Amari Cooper out; Could another Cowboys WR have a Miles Austin moment vs Chiefs?

In 2009, a bench WR stepped up in Kansas City and became a superstar; which current Cowboys player could repeat the feat this Sunday? | From @ToddBrock24f7

In the final hours leading up to an away game at Arrowhead Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys lose their biggest name at wide receiver. Winning on the road in Kansas City is a challenge for a team at full strength, but depending on a little-known depth player to step up at a key playmaking position in the notoriously-hostile environment puts the Cowboys at a distinct disadvantage.

Yes, that is the scenario enveloping the Cowboys this week as four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper has been declared out of Sunday’s matchup after being placed on the Reserve/COVID list.

But that opening premise is actually describing the 2009 season, when Dallas and Kansas City were set to square off in a Week 5 meeting. By the time the dust had settled that day, a 25-year-old Cowboys benchwarmer named Miles Austin had become an instant celebrity.

Could history repeat itself this weekend to produce a new Cowboys legend? Who in the current Dallas locker room is best-suited to play the role of Austin in the 2021 reboot?

The Cowboys were 2-2 coming into that October contest 12 years ago. It was the third year on the job for head coach Wade Phillips. Wide receiver Roy Williams, in his first full season in Dallas after being acquired by trade from Detroit the previous October, was to become the team’s top pass-catching threat after the release of Terrell Owens. But a ribs injury suffered against Denver caused Williams to miss several days of practice the following week. On Saturday, the day before their game versus the Chiefs, Williams was not on board the team plane to Kansas City. Someone named Miles Austin was to get his first NFL start.

Most Cowboys fans know the rest of the story. Austin absolutely exploded that day, hauling in ten catches from quarterback Tony Romo for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the 60-yard walkoff game-winner in overtime.

A star was born.

Williams was never again the undisputed WR1 for the rest of his short Dallas tenure. Austin, though, went on to lead the NFL in receiving yards that year and earned a Pro Bowl nod, the first of two straight. His 250-yard day at Arrowhead still stands as the franchise record for a receiver.

Austin was not a total unknown on his breakout day, though. He was officially listed as the team’s third receiving option after Owens’s release. The undrafted free agent was in his fourth season as a Cowboy, having seen action in 41 games. He had logged 23 catches on 45 targets for 435 yards and four touchdowns.

Clearly, though, Phillips and Romo and the rest of the offense thought enough of Austin to give him the opportunity when Williams was suddenly declared out.

So who is the under-the-mainstream-radar guy that the 2021 Cowboys might turn to for an Austinesque coming-out party in Kansas City? A look at the career stats of the current depth chart shows three players who all have not-dissimilar bodies of work coming into Sunday’s game.

Name Gms Tgts Recs Yds TDs
Miles Austin (entering 2009 KC game) 41 45 23 435 4
Cedrick Wilson 31 63 41 515 5
Noah Brown 45 52 31 358 0
Malik Turner 33 34 23 305 3

Wilson is the best-known of the bunch, both for his recent fill-in receiver work during Michael Gallup’s injury and for his current usage in many of the Cowboys’ gadget plays under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Turner just made a minor splash with two late scores in Week 9 to make the 30-16 loss to Denver seem less horrific than it actually was. And Brown has seen more playing time than any of them, although he hasn’t yet done anything that would light up a box score.

Wilson looks to be the primary beneficiary of Cooper’s COVID absence, but Dallas has shown a willingness to ride the guy with the hot hand. Should Brown or Turner catch fire by catching a few Dak Prescott passes in what promises to be a shootout, either could just as easily get their Miles Austin Mojo Moment this Sunday and provide the Cowboys with another weapon in the arsenal for when Cooper returns.

[listicle id=686065]

[listicle id=686088]

[listicle id=686014]

[lawrence-newsletter]