The Lions Add Another Receiver Who Peaked Four Years Ago
The Detroit Lions signed veteran wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. ahead of OTAs, because apparently Brad Holmes believes in collecting every receiver who had one decent season and then disappeared into the NFL ether.
Wilson is eight seasons deep into a professional career that can best be described as aggressively mediocre. The Cowboys drafted him in the sixth round in 2018, where he spent four years as a backup until his contract year magic kicked in. Forty-five catches, 602 yards, six touchdowns in his final season in Dallas. Not bad for a reserve.
That one season earned him a three-year, $22.8 million deal with Miami. And yes, you can probably guess how this story ends.
From Big Contract to Barely Playing
The Dolphins already had Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle eating up targets, which left Wilson fighting for scraps. He fell so far down the depth chart that Trent Sherfield passed him in 2022. Over two seasons in Miami, Wilson managed just 34 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns across 30 games.
So naturally, the Saints gave him a two-year deal in 2024. Wilson played 15 games with four starts, caught 20 passes for 211 yards, and got cut in 2025. The Dolphins rescued him from New Orleans’ practice squad, where he caught five passes in 10 appearances.
This is the resume that apparently caught Holmes’ attention. A 6-foot-2, 197-pound receiver who can play outside or in the slot and brings veteran experience to a young receiver room.
The Math Is Not Great
Wilson’s path to the 53-man roster involves some creative mathematics. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa are locks. Greg Dortch feels relatively safe with most of his $1.2 million base salary guaranteed. The Lions also drafted Kendrick Law in the fifth round this year and still have Dominic Lovett from last year’s seventh round.
That’s a lot of bodies for not many spots. Wilson will need to prove his worth on offense because his special teams resume is thinner than Detroit pizza crust. Just 210 special teams snaps since 2022, though he does have 36 career punt returns.
Wilson is now the only other receiver older than 27 besides Tom Kennedy. Whether that experience translates to production or just more disappointment remains to be seen.
Is Holmes collecting veteran receivers like Pokémon cards, or is there actually a plan here? Drop your take in the comments below.
Look I get the skepticism but this is basically a depth move. Holmes and Campbell have shown they know what they’re doing, so if they want a vet body in camp to compete, let em cook. Wilson’s not taking snaps away from our guys, he’s just another option if things go south.
I mean yeah his resume is rough and the math doesn’t work great on paper, but I’ve seen Holmes make some weird signings pan out before. Just feels like there’s gotta be something specific they see in him for special teams or mentoring the young guys. Time will tell I guess.
You know what, after all the trash we’ve lived through as fans, this front office actually gives a damn about building something real. They’re not throwing money around like maniacs anymore. Wilson’s a low risk move and that’s the kind of discipline I respect, even if he doesn’t make the final roster.
Honestly who cares if he doesn’t make it, that’s why it’s OTAs baby. Brad’s building a culture where guys have to earn it, and sometimes that means bringing in vets who can push the young receivers and show them what it takes to stay in this league. That’s coaching 101.