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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

5 Things to Know About New Vikings WR Albert Wilson

WR Albert Wilson
WR Albert Wilson

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Wednesday announced the signing of veteran receiver Albert Wilson.

Here are five things to know about the newest Viking, who will turn 30 next month:

1. Experienced pro

Wilson brings plenty of experience, with 89 regular-season games (38 starts) and four postseason games (started each) under his belt.

He has played for the Chiefs (2014-17) and Dolphins (2018-21) after first joining Kansas City as an undrafted free agent. Wilson opted out of the 2020 NFL season because of COVID-19 concerns.

Wilson has totaled 218 receptions for 2,499 yards and 12 scores during his career, including three catches for 57 yards and the Chiefs only touchdown (42 yards) in a 16-10 loss to the Vikings at the University of Minnesota in 2015. The score was Wilson's first of his career.

Albert Wilson-ap-2-2560

2. Big-play potential

Wilson is listed at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, but he has provided big-play potential.

Six of Wilson's 12 touchdown catches have been at least 42 yards, including three from Alex Smith, as well as a 74-yarder thrown by Ryan Tannehill in September 2018 and a 75-yarder flung by Brock Osweiler a month later.

He also scampered for a 55-yard touchdown in December 2016.

Interestingly, just three of Wilson's touchdown catches have been 10 or fewer yards in regular-season games, but both playoff scores were 10 or fewer yards.

View photos of the Vikings 2022 coaching staff.

3. Passing fancy

The long toss from Tannehill helped Miami defeat the Raiders 28-20, but Wilson also was involved in the play that put the Dolphins ahead with 7:18 remaining.

He completed a 52-yard pass to Jakeem Grant to put Miami up 21-17 and provide the first lead of the game for the Dolphins.

Wilson has attempted four passes in NFL games and has completed two for 72 yards and a passer rating of 135.4.

4. Panther pride

A native of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Wilson followed a prep career at quarterback and on defense by attending Georgia State.

He left the Panthers program that launched in 2010 as Georgia State's most-decorated receiver and became the first player in school history to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Wilson totaled 175 receptions for 3,190 yards and 23 touchdowns, setting school records in each category.

He added 331 rushing yards on 47 carries, 2,328 yards on 95 kickoff returns and 374 yards on 41 punt returns to total 6,235 career all-purpose yards.

5. Supports foster children

Wilson knows the challenges facing the foster care system because he grew up in it.

He established the Albert Wilson Foundation "to enrich the lives of children in foster care."

According to the foundation's website, the mission is "to change the destiny of foster children and break the cycle of abuse, neglect and abandonment." The foundation supports youth during their transition in and out of foster care and provides a platform for the young people to learn about legal rights, laws and social issues.

Before creating the foundation, Wilson and former Chiefs teammate Chris Conley donated $100 for each of their catches in 2017 to benefit the Catch A Break program that supports teenage boys in foster care.

Wilson posted 42 — his most in a season with Kansas City — and Conley added 11 receptions, despite missing 11 games that season.

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