The Buffalo Bills signed another experienced wide receiver just before the mandatory phase of their offseason workouts began.
On May 20, the team announced the signing of Kristian Wilkerson, a wide receiver who has moved between teams since entering the league as an undrafted free agent five years ago. According to the team’s statement, Wilkerson adds some NFL game experience to the roster.
The team shared that “the 28-year-old wideout played for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, appearing in three games and recording three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown. Wilkerson began his NFL career in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent after playing college football at Southeast Missouri State from 2015 to 2019. He will wear jersey No. 82 for the Bills.”
Wilkerson will now have the opportunity to fight for a place on the active roster or practice squad, becoming part of a competitive wide receiver group.
Bills Building Depth at Wide Receiver
By signing Wilkerson, the Bills also announced the release of undrafted rookie wide receiver Hal Presley III. With this move, the team gains more veteran depth as offseason practices intensify in the lead-up to training camp, which begins in about two months.
Wilkerson has had notable moments in his NFL career, including catching two touchdown passes from Patriots quarterback Mac Jones during a Week 17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.
The Bills have focused on strengthening their wide receiver group, adding multiple veterans over the past two seasons to make up for the departure of Gabe Davis and the trade that sent Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. This offseason, they brought in three experienced receivers—Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault—who are all expected to secure spots on the final roster.
The team already boasted a deep wide receiver group, headlined by rising star Khalil Shakir and second-year receiver Keon Coleman. The Bills have suggested they hope Coleman will step into a larger role this season following a rookie campaign that fell short of expectations, as he struggled to regain his early form after missing significant time with a wrist injury.
Bills Add More Young Talent
Although the Bills let go of Presley before he could even practice with the team, they have made an effort to bring in more young talent this offseason. While they didn’t use 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 excitement about being chosen by the Bills, despite feeling a bit uneasy about dropping to the No. 240 overall pick. He said he’s eager for the chance to catch passes from reigning league MVP Josh Allen.
“When the seventh round finally arrived, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but once the Bills called, I was just thankful for the chance,” he shared with the Buffalo News. “Being around Josh Allen and the entire Bills organization is incredible—Buffalo truly lives and breathes football. It feels like a family, and this whole experience has been amazing.”
