Vikings Sign New Receiver
The day started with news about the one receiver working out for the Vikings and ended with signing a different one. Dede Westbrook had a workout scheduled today with his former franchise while other teams were interested in signing him, per Ian Rapoport.
Apparently, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went in a different direction and signed the former Miami Dolphin, Albert Wilson.
Wilson’s PFF grades per year:
- 2014 – 68.4
- 2015 – 63.9
- 2016 – 54.1
- 2017 – 75.5
- 2018 – 82.5
- 2019 – 62.3
- 2021 – 59.3
Wilson missed the 2020 season because of a COVID opt-out. He is a consistent receiver who had between 213 and 554 yards every season. Overall, he caught 218 passes for 2,499 yards in his NFL career and added points to the scoreboard 12 times. Additionally, he has 27 career rushes for 160 yards and one more touchdown.
During his time in college, he played for Georgia State and was the first player of that school invited to the NFL Combine. After breaking most records in his college, he became an NFL player. He went undrafted in the 2014 draft and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played his first four seasons. After his tenure there, Wilson joined the Dolphins in free agency. The Vikings will become his third team in the league.
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Vikings WR Room Filled
The receiving core is the same as in 2021. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are an elite duo amongst receiving tandems, while K.J. Osborn is the third option. Therefore, Wilson has to battle in the preseason with 2021 rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette and 2022 draft gem Jalen Nailor. Olabisi Johnson, who missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL but contributed in 2019 and 2020, is fully recovered and part of the receiving room as well.
Wilson is 5’9″ with 4.4 speed, in addition to tremendous quickness. The Vikings didn’t have a player type like him on the roster, which could increase his chances of making the roster. In the worst case, he will be cut after the preseason. In the best case, he’ll contribute as the fourth receiver. That role is likely to increase, as the Vikings will probably run more sets with at least three receivers on the field compared to recent years, and the new signing at the receiver position could be a crucial depth piece.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who has a fable for numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings as his favorite team, despite Christian Ponder being the quarterback at the time. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Arguing about the Vikings on Twitter is one of his favorite things to do. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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