Miami Dolphins OTA Player Report - Albert Wilson

By: Tanner Elliott

The case of whether Albert Wilson should be on the roster this year is one of the more talked about situations this offseason. Adding play-makers like Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle did not help Wilson’s case of making the team either. Although some may have already discredited Wilson from making the team, here is why you should not, and even get ready for a breakout year from him. 
 
When Miami first signed Wilson, we all wondered if he would be able to produce big plays and after the catch. He did not disappoint in his limited action. In seven games (three starts) he had 26 catches, 391 yards, and four touchdowns. That may not be the best stat line, but we all know what he did against the Chicago Bears in week six.

Albert Wilson v Jakeem Grant the WRs

Career catch %
Wilson = 65.4% (71.1% in 2 MIA yrs)
Grant = 61.8% (66.7% last yr)
QB Rating When Thrown to
Wilson in 2 MIA yrs= 103.5
Grant in MIA last two yrs= 60.85

Receiving TDs:
Wilson in 2 MIA yrs= 5
Grant in 5 yr MIA Career = 5

Oh boy

— Jason Sarney (@Jason_Sarney) June 8, 2021

Wilson won that game for Miami and for Dolphin fans, it was a glimpse of what the veteran could do. Unfortunately, he hurt his hip the following week and did not play the rest of the year. After Wilson got cleared to play for the 2019 season, he started in four games while playing in 13. The three games he missed that season were due to his hip, and even his production did not match what it was in 2018. This was due to his hip still nagging him and not being fully recovered. As we know, a nagging hip injury can affect a player a lot more than assumed, just look at Tua Tagovailoa for example. The hip injury was very noticeable and most fans noticed Wilson was not playing like his normal, speedy self. 
 
The 2020 season Albert Wilson chose to opt out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the smartest decision that Wilson may have made during his football career. He said that the decision to opt out was not easy and did it for his family’s health and safety. Not only did opting out to protect his family, but it gave him the chance to fully recover his hip. This is huge for Wilson as he can now play the way he did in 2018. During OTA’s, Wilson has been getting rave reviews about how well he has looked. Not only has Wilson looked back to his former self during OTAs but he was also working out with his new quarterback Tua all offseason. If Wilson can keep playing the way he is, do not be surprised if Wilson becomes an impact player this season.

“Gentlemen - start your engines” pic.twitter.com/75mK0pud1W

— Jason Sarney (@Jason_Sarney) June 9, 2021