Welcome to Miami Cedrick Wilson Jr.

free agency special. Cedric Wilson is the topic today. Will break down his game and get him on the podcast here to talk some football, his decision to join the Miami Dolphins, and a whole heck of a lot more from the Baptist Health Studios inside the Baptist Health Training Complex. This is the Drive Time Podcast. So Dolphins land a talented receiver in the free agency period here, adding some

weapons to the Mike mcdi annual offense here. And I think with Cedric Wilson, the guy that I was a huge fan of his game back at Boise State and watching him just tear up the Mountain West back in those days for a couple of seasons. When he got on campus, he just produced immediately and he also earned some playing time this last season and a loaded Cowboys offense where they had options on top of options on

top of options. But he'll be a twenty six year old receiver who had a career year last year, making the most of his opportunities, catching forty five passes for six hundred and two yards one and six touchdown passes. But as the efficiency that really jumps off the page. He finished ninth in the NFL in slot receiving yards. Five hundred and seventy four of those yards came from

the slot. He played at a ten percent split from the slot last year for the Cowboys, and he also tied for fourth in touchdowns from the slot with all six of them. That's of courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

He also caught seventy three point eight percent of the targets thrown in his direction, was ninth best in the National Football League among receivers, and he continued the trend of ranking nine with his nine point nine yards per target that was inside the top ten as well with some names like Deebo, Samuel Jamar, Chase, Cooper Cup and others. And though he caught six of thirteen possible contested catch opportunities, it's forty six point two percent. That's it's a very

very good rate. His game is separation. His average distance created on a route or per route ram basis with the nearest defender being three point five yards away last season, that was tied for thirteen best among all receivers. You have some comparisons. Cooper Cup and Tyreek Hill both finished at three point six yards average separation per route run.

Wilson is a sure handed receiver as well, just five career drops six point five percent drop rate, and that helped him achieve a pass a rating win targeted last season of one sixteen point two. The numbers keep getting better. You talk about the separation, it wasn't just because he was running quick greens where the off cornerback is five yards away and he picks up five yards of separation.

They piled up primarily on two occasions for Cedric Wilson Jr. After the catch and running to the intermediate and deep portions of the field, he averaged six point two yards after the catch last year. That was tied for tenth

among all NFL receivers. His plus one point two yards after the catch over expected go back to uh We talked about this in the Chase Edmonds podcast about the rushing production over expected same idea, how many yards are you expected based upon historical data to get after the catch?

He Wilson was one point two yards over the expected, which was eighteenth best among his contemporaries, and the separation metrics help soda slipping four tackles on forty five catches, one every eleven point two catches he makes someone miss. He also finished fifth in the NFL among qualifying receivers with eight team point four yards per target on passes thrown twenty or more yards down the field. That's the

deep ball right. Only Cooper Cup, Tyler Lockett, Deebo Samuel, and j Sean Jackson had better averages in the deep passing game. Those will numbers for Wilson seven catches on fourteen targets, so fifty down the field for two hundred and fifty eight yards and two touchdown passes. And he was even better in the intermediate. He caught twelve of his eight teen passes in that ten to nineteen yard air yard range I should say for a buck seventies six and three touchdowns. In fact, he had a plus

eight team point six catch rate over expected. Again, these are next gen stats that take collective, comprehensive data and give you what's expected and how the player performs against the expected. He was plus eight teen point six on catch rate over expected on targets of ten plus yards. That was third best in the National Football League in that area. So the run after the catch and the nuance in the way he runs routes deep and that was what I saw on tape back in college and

through the pro. This guy just knows how to get vertical on guys from the slot position from the outside. It's just a natural talent that he possesses and one that he works very hard on as well. And as Pro day and combine numbers work at workout numbers showed exactly what we saw on tape the last four years as a pro. He leaped thirty seven inches and one

inches in the vertical and broad jumps, respectively. He plays a six eight nine three cone time to display that lower body explosion, quickness, change of direction skill set, and he pairs those traits with some real nuance and understanding for how to attack leverage and coverage to create that separation. Every route he runs looks the same. He can alter his speeds and explode out of breaks to put defensive

backs in quite a bit of peril. And again primarily a slot receiver, he does have the ability to go outside thanks in part to his six ft two frame and playing at six ft two inside slot fades kind of those body up post up shots over the middle. It's a great trait to have for a slot receiver who's crafty, nifty, and nimble, all those great traits you have to have, but you add sized of that frame as well, and where he really stands out I think

is the deep ball tracking on the tape. Like I keep talking about this, but it's sensational that in college of his one thirty nine catches, let me go ahead and do the math on that real quick of a hundred thirty nine catches go for twenty five plus yards. That's thirty six catches of over twenty five yards in a two year career with Boise State. He builds up speed and has that extra gear when the football is

in the in the air. And we talked about the loaded Cowboys offense right last year Michael Gallup, who just got a nice extension there with the Cowboys. He missed eight games one, which gave Wilson a chance to play forty one point four snaps per game in those eight contests, and he came up big twenty one grabs, three and four touchdowns in those games. And his ability to step up for Dallas, including their loan playoff game with five catches for sixty two yards last season really caught the

attention of this Cowboys teammates. Quote, the biggest reason why this team is good is because of the depth we have and said as an example of that, said receiver a Marii Cooper. Of course, now with the Cleveland Browns quote, somebody goes down said can just step in and get the job done and quote, and that helped him earn the respect of the Cowboys team, even the guy that he replaced in those games that Gallop miss Here's what Gallup said, quote watching him play his game and letting

him get his shine. He deserves it. He worked so hard for it. So that was definitely a player that I enjoy watching. End quote, and an affinity from his teammates is not new for Wilson. Here's what an a f C team area scout told NFL dot COM's Lance zer Line in team when Wilson was in the pre draft process. Quote they like him inside his building. That's talking about Boise State. He's a worker and he doesn't take anything for granted because he had to work his

way into this position. He self made. I go to bat for those guys because they never let you down due to football character and quote pretty high praise for the way this guy works. And going back to his college production, the only thing that matched that college career

on the field was his work in the classroom. He was named to the Academic All Mountain West team back in twos sixteen, his first year on campus there in Boise and before earning All American honors in junior college, Wilson was the quarterback of a six A high school team that made to the Tennessee State semifinals during his senior season, where he was the QB, racking up big yardage there for his high school team. That information makes it no surprise that Wilson has completed all five of

his professional passing attempts. He's five for five as a pro with a hundred and eleven passing yards, a touchdown pass and a perfect one fifty eight point three passer rating. As he shows you a little bit of jack of all trades in his skill sets. There. Let's go ahead and take our first break and come back. And here from Cedric Wilson Jr. On the Drivetime Podcast with Travis Wingfield,

brought to you by Auto Nation. What's up Dolphins? Travis Winfield here, the host of the Drivetime podcast on the Miami Dolphins podcast network, and I'm freeled to be joined today by new Dolphins receiver Cedric Wilson Junior. Cedric, thanks for jumping in man, thanks for having me, and grateful to be here. So you know here, new to the building, new to the city, just got in today. I understand.

How's it all feels? It all hitting you yet? I mean yeah, I mean I've been to Miami a couple of times, but I've never been in the Dolphin Dolphin side of things, and uh, definitely amazing first time seeing it. Uh, definitely a lot of wild spots here, so you'll see plenty more. You can kind of tour of the area. We had Carnor Williams in her earlier and he was talking about the building and I was like, you came from Frisco where it's pretty nice too, but not bad

here either, right. Oh no, I mean it's like the same exact building. Both great, but no we get to see palm trees and got the hard rock. That's exactly what he said. So before before Dallas, you were up in Boise for a couple of years, and you know, I told you before you came on technically the Pacific Northwest? Do you guys call it that? I don't know. I don't really know what they call it. I went to play football from the south. Well, it is my stomping grounds.

But I asked you, you know, coming from Memphis to Boise, how much of a culture shock was that for you? In college? Huge? I mean kind of definitely helped me, Like traveling around when my dad played in the league definitely helped me at just to it easier. But yeah, like I definitely remember calling my mom multiple times my first semester out there, like I don't know, I just gonna work out, but she told me to stick through it, and shoot, I mean look where I am today. It's right,

that's exactly right. But you also have to stopping coffee villeas that, Like that was pretty easy. Me and my best friend we left and went up there together and I mean, we were always together in high school, so it was pretty much out the house by your by ourselves, all football all the time. It's right, that's you know. One thing I read about, kind of doing some background on before the interview here was I read a scouting

report that talked about anonymous. A f C scout said that Cedric Wilson's a self made man and I'll always go to bat for ag like that because he's not gonna let you down with the character and the way he works. How does an assessment like that, how much pride do you take in that man? I definitely take pride in what, um, well, not really what others think about, but I think of myself pretty much. Um. I wouldn't

necessarily say self made. I mean I got two great parents, I got a great family, kids and everything, so not really self made, but just every day going out there that I'm not only putting my name him on the line, I just got a whole family behind me as well. That makes total sense. Yeah, I guess maybe the wrong

phrase for that. But in terms of the way you work is oh yeah, the way I work all yeah, my works off from me exactly, so you know, being a sixth round pick and you go to an offense that has you know, Ceedee Lamb, Mamori Cooper, Dalton Schultz, Michael Gallups, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard. You're one of many many weapons pieces there in the weaponry and yet you still find a way to get on the field and produce. And that's something your Cowboys teammates really praised you for.

How did you learn that resilience and how did that kind of shape who you are as a player? In a person I would probably have to say just self talk. I'm a big believer in everyone is going to have their opportunity is what you do with it. So I mean I just grinded and every opportunity I was given, I took full advantage of it. Rather it worked out

or it didn't work out. I just put my front full forward and big on preparation because a lot of people get in the jam because they don't prepare and then when their moment comes, they're not ready for it. That's exactly right. That's how we do The podcast is the key. So you're here with the Dolphins. Now, what was it that attracted you to coming down here to Miami to play for the Dolphins started off first was

obviously coach with Welcome. I mean we we definitely talked along bit before I was drafted and didn't get to work with him in Houston. So then he got me out here and it was a no brainer. I mean he was he played here, so I'm really trying to do some great things here like he did. Did you grow up watching him here with Miami and New England

after that? I didn't. I didn't definitily watch him. This is my dad's favorite team though, so he mean he probably had it on TV when I was younger, but now I was I was big into just being outside, never really much in which football or TV. Your dad was a Dolphins face? My dad's a Dolphins fame his favorite team. So awkwin Orange all over the house or how's that work? Oh No, We're not not that big.

Just just support, just support. So so you mentioned, you know, having that relationship with Wes Welker, I mean, what else can you tell about tell us about him in terms of your guys relationship and and just kind of how that became a thing and what you've experienced here with him now so far in Miami. I mean it's actually,

I feel like he's scratching the surface. I feel like we're both for I mean, obviously, looking at his career, he's he was a hard working guy that most people probably counted out, And I mean, I feel like that was the same way with me. And I feel like over the time that we're here, we're gonna definitely get closer and definitely get to pick each other's brain of what we want to know. One of the toughest guys to ever do it right, I mean, just an absolute warrior.

And you know, watching your tape, have you ever gone out of bounce on a catch? I don't think I've seen it. I don't know everything. Every time I catched the ball. I'm trying to get an orange file. That's all that's visions. Well, and you also had some rushing yards back in your high school days as a former high school quarterback. How did playing quarterback in high school prepare you for a receiver in the National Football League? The ball was always in my hands, so everyone's looking

at me, so now it's pretty easy. They don't know where I'm at until it's in my hands. So I'm not going to read these to you, but one of the most or the stats that I found on you, one of the most efficient deep receivers, according some advanced metrics you know across the boltiple websites that do that stuff. What is the key to being a good deep receiver? I think it was mean. I just I feel like I was just not really blessed with you. But I played baseball first, so just a natural ball skill came

pretty easy. And I mean football is way bigger than the baseball, and I could to use both of my hands to catch it. So I feel like that's that's that background of baseball is pretty much where the track and of the deep ball came. And then speed, just run. That always told me, you run faster, get faster. It makes sense. I'm gonna guess center field. Uh no, I actually play shortstop. Was good. I had an arm, had an arm, so some some range going back onto the

outfield and rest too there as well. So same story with your your yacht numbers. You're running after catch, what's the key to that? What's the key to running after the catch? Don't get tackled, that's simple. Yeah, I didn't feel good to get so yeah, I try to stay away from getting hit. Okay, So I want to go back to your father. You mentioned, you know, a Dolphins

fan now, but playing the National Football League? What was that like as your experience as a kid, you know, being around someone that was in the league and kind of seeing how he did it. I mean here now looking back onto I mean, it felt pretty normal. It was just like Pop's going to work and he playing football, just like when he get off work, I'm going to practice. So we're both pretty much doing the same thing. Um. But now looking back on it, I definitely wish I

would have understood what was going on. I'm gonna pay more attention to a few tips here. Yeah. But I'm sure he's helped you along the way, you know, once you got a little bit more into the football life, right, I mean he was probably a big in your corner. Oh yeah, for sure. I mean that he wants me to play quarterback, chasing the dream and he had. Do you have do you have one memory of you know, going to a game or a practice the locker room

with your dad? Do you remember more than anything else as far as his experience, because a player goes, yeah, let me see, Uh, probably my biggest memories probably think they were now I didn't really understand what they were doing then, but now I think it was the O T A phase and they were in the locker room clowning around. Um, and I think I was like in the back, like scrubbing the football is getting ready for practice.

And then I don't think I did it right. And I mean they were joking, but they let me have you go. You got you got a piece of the NFL right away early in your life. So you're here in Miami. Now, is there one thing? And it could be football, It can be the culture down here. You mentioned kind of being here a little bit you visited before. The food is great down here. Dealer's choice. What is one thing that you're most excited about with your opportunity

here with the Dolphins or in Miami in general? Um, I mean that's two different things. With the Dolphins win games. Um. As of being in Miami, I mean, stay at the beach and I'm trying to find the best wings in town. We're gonna have to ask someone out that they can find you some wings. I don't know my personal last round, but very good man. That's all I got for you. Cedric Wilson, appreciate your time to there he goes Cedric

Wilson Jr. New Dolphins wide receiver. I'm telling you, guys, these interviews they're all very very good, fun energetic guys, fun to talk to, a lot of good football in there as well. It's go ahead and take our last break and come back and put a bow on this edition of the Drivetime Podcast, your host, Travis Wingfield, brought to you by Auto Nation. The Cedric Wilson episode of the Drive Time Podcast, Welcome to Miami said, we appreciate him coming on doing this with us. In the meantime,

that is gonna be my time. You all. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast. Leave us a rating, leave us a review. You can follow me on Twitter at Wingfield NFL. Follow the Miami Dolphins

across all social platforms. At Miami Dolphins, check out the Fish Tank Podcast with Seth and o J, my co host on the Twitter space, the show on the postgame show, our YouTube channel for media availabilities, Dolphins Today, and my interviews with these free agents, and of course Miami Dolphins dot com. Until next time finds up, Caroline, Daddy is coming home.