90-in-90 Miami Dolphins roster breakdown: Albert Wilson

The Phinsider’s annual 90-in-90 series continues this morning with another look at the team’s preseason roster. The NFL allows teams to carry up to 90 players on the roster through the offseason and training camp/preseason, before cutting the roster size down to 53-players for the regular season. During the offseason and into training camp each year, we take a look at the 90 players on the Miami Dolphins’ roster, breaking down how they played in 2017, why they could progress and why they could regress in 2018, and finish with a look at the chances the player has to make the 53-man roster.

This year, we have already finished the reviews for wide receiver Leonte Carroo, punter Matt Haack, safety T.J. McDonald, running back Buddy Howell, wide receiver DeVante Parker, defensive end William Hayes, wide receiver Isaiah Ford, safety/cornerback Walt Aikens, defensive end Claudy Mathieu, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Xavien Howard, long snapper Lucas Gravelle, wide receiver Danny Amendola, tight end A.J. Derby, running back Frank Gore, defensive tackle Gabe Wright, wide receiver Kenny Stills, cornerback Tony Lippett, kicker Jason Sanders, kicker Greg Joseph, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, tight end Mike Gesicki, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, running back Kalen Ballage, wide receiver Jakeem Grant, tight end Durham Smythe, and quarterback David Fales. Today, we continue the series with wide receiver Albert Wilson.

2017 Review

Wilson joins the Dolphins after four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014. With Kansas City, he worked both as a receiver for the team and as a punt returner. In 2017, he returned 18 punts for an average of 18 yards, along with 42 receptions for 554 yards with three touchdowns.

Why he will progress

With Kansas City, Wilson was a depth receiver who came in and filled the slot role well. When he hit free agency, the market for Wilson was larger than had been expected, with multiple teams trying to land him. In the end, Miami added Wilson (and fellow free agency signing Danny Amendola) to replace Jarvis Landry, who Miami traded to the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins will absolutely be looking for Wilson to become a large part of the passing game, using his speed - along with the speed of Jakeem Grant and Kenny Stills - to threaten deep or add to the play after a shorter pass. He should see plenty of playing time, which will continue his progression.

Why he might regress

At the end of the day, Wilson is still a player who was an undrafted free agent and has only been with one team thus far in his NFL career. He has plenty of potential, but there are definitely cases where a UDFA looks good with his first team, then moves on to another team and disappears. The Dolphins appear to have a plan for how to incorporate Wilson into the offense, and they really seem to like his speed, but he could still find himself buried on the depth chart and struggling for catches.

Chances of making the 53-man roster

Wilson should be a lock for the roster at this point. The depth chart could get muddled in front of him, with DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills headlining the group, then Wilson, Danny Amendola, and Jakeem Grant all needing playing time as well. Add in a potential sixth receiver like Leonte Carroo or Isaiah Ford, and Miami could be extremely deep at the position. Wilson may not have a breakout 2018 season if he is splitting time in the slot with Amendola, but he could be in position to become the team’s main slot player in 2019.