Vikings Rumor Mill Buzzing for Veteran WR
A rumor is the truest definition of the word, the Minnesota Vikings are getting linked to a veteran wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins.
He’s Cedrick Wilson, a 27-year-old pass-catcher currently of the Miami Dolphins and formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.
Vikings Rumor Mill Buzzing for Veteran WR
Wilson-to-Vikings is a classic social media rumor, making the rounds foremost on Twitter and filtering down to Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram. For a few months, Vikings fans and pundits have voiced uncertainty about the identity of the team’s WR2. Could it be K.J. Osborn, last year’s WR3? Or a new guy?
So, why Wilson? Simple — a possible Dalvin Cook trade to Miami. The rumor mill was thick with Cook-to-Miami rumors at the beginning of March but died down after the Dolphins re-signed their 2022 RB crew. But with the 2023 NFL Draft six days away, the Cook rumors are back, and Miami is in the driver’s seat, at least in theory.
At the Vikings pre-draft press conference eight days ago, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about Cook’s future with the Vikings, and he responded, “Conversations are always ongoing with him. We’re trying to be solution-oriented always, trying to put the roster together within our constraints.”
Similarly, Dolphins GM Chris Grier said about adding more running backs this week, “We’re looking at all opportunities to bring in good football players.” Both seem like vanilla replies, not ruling out a Cook trade.
Moreover, Pro Football Network acknowledged [and decried] the Wilson-to-Minnesota rumor on Wednesday, “One hypothetical making the rounds on social media is that the Dolphins will trade Wilson to the Vikings for Dalvin Cook — the star running back whose job is far from secure due to a big salary of his own.”
“But that trade doesn’t make sense for a number of reasons — all contract-related. Just as the Dolphins have already signaled that they’re in no rush to take on Cook’s $10.4 million salary, the Vikings probably aren’t inclined to pay Wilson $7 million to be, at best, their No. 2 receiver,” PFN‘s Adam Beasley opined.
Neither financial hurdle is too tall to climb for a Vikings-Dolphins trade, especially if both sides “want their guy.” Minnesota re-signed RB2 Alexander Mattison last month for two years and $7 million, appearing to signal the end of Cook in purple. Cook is from Miami, so a trade to the Dolphins makes sense.
Wilson began his career in Dallas, a 6th-Round pick in 2018. He’s tallied 973 career receiving yards and 8 touchdowns 53 games. Most Wilson rumors seem to imply he’d fill a WR2 role in Minnesota. However, he’d likely become a candidate to contend for WR2 — not automatically seize Osborn’s job.
The Vikings and Dolphins haven’t pulled off a trade in four years, a swap of offensive lineman Danny Isidora for a 7th-Round pick in 2019.
When asked about the possibility of a trade, Cook’s agent, Zach Hiller, didn’t squash Cook-to-Miami rumors on a podcast last week.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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