The Detroit Lions continue to add to their roster ahead of Organized Team Activities. On Wednesday, they announced they’ve signed veteran receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pound receiver has been in the NFL for eight seasons. He began his professional football journey as a sixth-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. There, he lasted four years as a reserve receiver, topping his production in his final year in Arlington—catching 45 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns in a single season.
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He parlayed that successful season into a three-year, $22.8 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, but never saw that level of success again in his career. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle already on the Dolphins offense, Wilson fell down the depth chart and was even surpassed by Trent Sherfield in 2022. He would only last two seasons with Miami, tallying 34 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns over 30 game appearances.
In 2024, Wilson signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints and had a minimal role (15 games, four starts—20 catches, 211 yards) before failing to make the cut in 2025. He eventually rejoined the Dolphins (they poached him off the Saints practice squad) last year, but caught just five passes in 10 game appearances and five starts.
Stylistically, Wilson is tall, long, and has the ability to play both outside and in the slot. He also adds some experience to a very young receiver room. Outside of Tom Kennedy, Wilson is now the only other receiver who is older than 27.
Wilson will have a tough, but not impossible, route to the 53-man roster. 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. Meanwhile, the Lions drafted Kendrick Law in the fifth round this year and Dominic Lovett in the seventh round last year.
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Wilson will likely have to prove his worth on offense, as he has relatively little special teams experience. Since 2022, he has just 210 special teams snaps—the majority of which came in 2024 (138). Though he does have 36 career punt returns.
