3 Best Trade Destinations For Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The Miami Dolphins are considering trading wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., according to a Miami Herald report. Wilson signed a three-year contract worth $22 million with the Dolphins last year but failed to meet expectations in 2022. Wilson was often a bystander in Miami’s explosive offense and was limited to 12 receptions and 136 receiving yards while Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle soaked up targets.

Wilson is scheduled to carry an $8.3 million cap hit in 2023, per Spotrac. The Dolphins should be interested in shedding Wilson’s salary, which exceeds his production. We’ve identified three potential landing spots for Cedrick Wilson Jr. via trade.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Wilson enjoyed a career-best season in 2021 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded 45 receptions for 602 receiving yards and six touchdowns and later cashed in with the Dolphins during the offseason.

The catalyst of Wilson’s 2021 production was Cowboys ex-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore now holds the same title with the Chargers, where he’s expected to maximize Justin Herbert’s potential. The Chargers have been exploring the possibility of adding more depth to the receiver position after Mike Williams and Keenan Allen spent portions of the 2022 campaign injured. The aging Allen was a potential cap casualty this summer and could be entering his final season with the Chargers in 2023. 

Acquiring Wilson would surround him with a familiar face. Wilson would provide the Chargers with some much-needed depth.

BUFFALO BILLS

Like Moore in Los Angeles, there’s an intriguing connection tying Wilson to the Bills. The Bills recently hired Adam Henry to be their new wide receivers position coach. Henry previously held the same title in Dallas, where he coached Wilson for two campaigns (2020-21). Those happened to be the two best seasons of Wilson’s young career.

And like the Chargers, the Bills have been exploring options at receiver. Gabriel Davis failed to take advantage of a starring role opposite Stefon Diggs in 2022. Bills general manager Brandon Beane is seeking to upgrade his receiver room as a result. DeAndre Hopkins reportedly isn’t an option. The Bills may be looking for a bigger fish than Wilson, but Wilson would help remove some of the pressure that’s on Diggs’ shoulders.

The Dolphins likely don’t hold a high enough opinion of Wilson’s abilities to reject an opportunity to trade him within the division—similar to their DeVante Parker trade to the New England Patriots.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings parted ways with aging wideout Adam Thielen this offseason. Thielen’s departure creates a need at the position opposite Justin Jefferson. As things stand, K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor are set to feature for the Vikings in three-receiver sets.

Jefferson may soon sign a historic contract extension that will keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. Jefferson’s contract status will likely prevent Minnesota from making additional sizable investments at receiver. Wilson remains on an affordable deal that Minnesota could absorb. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is an offensive-minded leader that would appreciate an opportunity to develop Wilson. 

Wilson would upgrade the Vikings’ current standing at receiver. He’s younger and cheaper than Thielen was.