The Buffalo Bills have added another experienced wide receiver as they gear up for the mandatory phase of offseason workouts.
On May 20, the team announced the signing of Kristian Wilkerson, a journeyman who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent five years ago. According to the team, Wilkerson brings some professional experience to the table.
“The 28-year-old receiver played for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, appearing in three games and recording three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown,” the announcement stated. “Wilkerson began his NFL career in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans after playing college football at Southeast Missouri State from 2015 to 2019. He’ll wear jersey No. 82 with Buffalo.”
Wilkerson will now have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the active roster or practice squad, entering a wide receiver group with plenty of competition.
Bills Building Depth at Wide Receiver
By signing Kristian Wilkerson, the Buffalo Bills also announced the release of undrafted rookie wide receiver Hal Presley III, opting for more veteran experience as offseason workouts intensify ahead of training camp in roughly two months.
Wilkerson brings a few notable moments from his NFL career, including a standout performance in 2021 when he caught two touchdown passes from Patriots quarterback Mac Jones during a Week 17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bills have clearly prioritized reinforcing the wide receiver position, especially following the departure of Gabe Davis and the trade that sent Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. This offseason, they signed veteran receivers Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault—each of whom is expected to compete for a roster spot.
Even before Wilkerson’s arrival, the Bills had a crowded receiver group led by breakout talent Khalil Shakir and promising second-year player Keon Coleman. The team has indicated that they hope Coleman can take a significant step forward after an underwhelming rookie campaign, which was hampered by a wrist injury that sidelined him for a large portion of the season.
Bills Add More Young Talent
Although Hal Presley III was released before ever getting a chance to practice with the team, the Bills have still emphasized bringing in young talent this offseason. While they didn’t use any early draft picks on wide receivers, they did select Kaden Prather in the seventh round and signed undrafted rookies Kelly Akharaiyi and Stephen Gosnell.
Prather expressed enthusiasm about joining the Bills, even if he was surprised to slide all the way to the 240th overall pick. He said he’s eager to start working with reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen.
“By the time the seventh round came, I didn’t know where my head was, but once [the Bills] called me, I was just grateful for the opportunity,” Prather told the Buffalo News. “Being around Josh Allen and just the whole Bills organization – Buffalo bleeds football. It’s a family environment. This whole process has been nothing but great.”
