Buffalo Bills came highly active in the wide receiving corps last offseason as they bid farewell to veterans and introduced new faces, giving a new flavor to Josh Allen targets. Seeking to make it any more exciting at the cost of offense before the 2023 season, analysts believe that this team is yet not done. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine states that even though they probably just let their window of landing a big-name wide receiver close, the Bills could still make a splash with this trade for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., adding more depth and versatility to the team’s roster.

Bills Restructuring Their Wide Receiver Corps

The Bills entered this offseason looking to bolster the receiving options for Josh Allen in an effort to create greater stability and play-making ability. Some of that was based off of last year when their wide receiver corps missed some guys that are consistent players needed to complement their overall high-powered offense outside of star receiver Stefon Diggs.

Buffalo showed much hope by signing older receivers and drafting young players. Among the more notable changes were the signings of wide receivers Deonte Harty for New Orleans Saints and Trent Sherfield for Dolphins, besides drafting Dalton Kincaid, a young skilled tight end. The report is that even after adding all these players, the Bills are still looking to trade for somebody who might be better experienced and more adept in many aspects.

Cedrick Wilson Jr.: Not used enough in Miami

The latest name to resurface in speculations is Cedrick Wilson Jr., a wide receiver on the rosters of the Bills’ AFC East competitors, the Miami Dolphins. Wilson signed with the Dolphins back in 2022 on what was at the time a $22.1 million contract, full of promise but behind Tyreek Hill’s blockbuster acquisition, the dynamics of the Dolphins’ offense changed dramatically.

Wilson was an afterthought in Miami last season with the presence of Tyreek Hill and emergence of Jaylen Waddle, says Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine. “Even last season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Wilson was somewhat limited, but in 2022 he had only 12 receptions for 136 yards.”.

The reduced role in Miami has led to circulating trade rumors where many analysts have suggested that a move to a team like Buffalo could be the fresh start he needs.

Potential Fit in Buffalo’s Offense

For the Buffalo Bills, signing a player like Cedrick Wilson Jr. may make strategic sense because Wilson has great versatility as a receiver and can line up on both the outside and inside in the slot. This would give their passing attack another dimension at his disposal. Considering this versatility, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey would look for ways to keep the defense guessing by keeping Wilson in various formations.

Finally, Wilson is known to have a history with Bills wide receivers coach Adam Henry, for whom he worked when Wilson was with the Dallas Cowboys. This can help Wilson learn more of the Bills’ offense more quickly and maximize his skill set, which would create more opportunities in targets Josh Allen might seek other than Diggs and Gabe Davis.

How the Trade May Play Out

It would depend on how much the Bills would pay the Dolphins to buy Cedrick Wilson Jr. because both teams have invested in him, but Miami is deep in pockets and could sell him to the Bills for the right price considering the minimal role the player has been given. The Bills should ensure that they have enough cap space to absorb his contract. As Ballentine notes, a trade may involve late-round draft picks or conditional picks, which would be in line with the Bills’ required strategy in salary cap management while allowing the Dolphins to free resources for other areas of need.

Upside and Impact by Wilson

Now, if Wilson can recapture some of his 2021, this is a wideout who can make plays and get really big on third downs and in the red area where he did with Dallas. His size at 6’2″, 200 pounds complemented by plenty of quickness should make him shine offensively as a second piece off to Diggs, nullifying some of the attention directed his way off Buffalo’s No. 1 receiver and opening up Allen’s downfield opportunities.

Another positive would be Wilson’s ability to add depth on special teams for Buffalo. He returned punts for Miami and might be key in stabilizing Buffalo’s flailing return game, which had struggled in the past two seasons.

Why Miami Should Potentially Trade Wilson

For Miami, trading Wilson would bring freed-up cap space and potentially free up their organization to allow for other needs to be addressed. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle established as the first and second priority receiving options in Miami and with younger receivers like Erik Ezukanma now emerging, Wilson’s chances of playing a more prominent role in the offense seem slim. Thus, the Dolphins may be willing to move on from the receiver, especially if they can recoup some value in the form of draft picks.

A Win-Win Situation

A trade for Cedrick Wilson Jr. might work for the Bills and Dolphins both. A veteran receiver who can step right on in for the Bills might ease the pressure to draft an NFL-caliber receiver. The Dolphins get a little cap relief and can refocus efforts on youth. Wilson’s fresh start in Buffalo might help revive him after he grew stale playing in Dallas.

Buffalo’s Changing Wide Receiver Corps

As the NFL season was ready to kickoff, Buffalo Bills had voiced their intentions about increasing the width and productivity in the wide receiver group. Even so, according to the Ballentine report, there should be more changes ahead, as Cedrick Wilson Jr. is apparently signing up with Buffalo to make it a real force within the realm of the AFC East.

It’s a possibility that has captivated the imagination of Bills fans regarding whether the team has another late summer move before opening the 2023 season. Whether that trade happens or not, there’s no doubt the Bills have positioned Josh Allen with an edge that will help him ride deep into the playoffs.

Conclusion: Could the Bills Land Wilson?

With the Buffalo Bills trying to assemble a roster that could someday genuinely compete for a Super Bowl, Wilson may be just the ticket for a Bills receiving corps. Versatile, experienced, and connected with the coaching staff, he would be the perfect piece to round out the Bills’ receiving group. Even if the Dolphins are ready to let go of him, it might be Buffalo where he gets his chance at re-igniting his potential.

This will probably be one trade to watch as the season approaches and could potentially prove that move that propels the Bills toward their ultimate goal: a Super Bowl victory.