Kansas City Chiefs: A timeline of Albert Wilson’s increasing contributions
By Kyle Hull
(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Once an unknown out of Georgia State University, Albert Wilson joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Flashing forward to 2017, Wilson is suddenly a valuable player to the Chiefs offense.
The current media revolving around the Kansas City Chiefs organization targets the big names, and their stories, just as the media should. Names such as Alex Smith, Marcus Peters, and/or Patrick Mahomes II cover the vast majority of the quick-read articles within Chiefs media.
A name that often hides behind the shadows of the fortune, and fame, is wide receiver Albert Wilson. An undrafted, and undersized wide receiver from Georgia State hides behind the big names, only to let his performances on the football field do the talking.
Before details come up about Wilson, and his reliable contributions, lies an underdog story needing to be noticed, if you will. A story that lacks predictability, but carries an abundance of “what are the odds?”
2014 – Albert who?
Having an eye for unusual talent, former general manager John Dorsey invited Wilson to training camps in St. Joseph, Missouri. A 2014 undrafted wide receiver from the Sun Belt conference’s story starts here. The start of a transition from an unknown prospect, to a Chiefs energizing bunny. A much-needed energizing bunny, that is.
Dorsey inserted Wilson onto the 2014 first released 53-man roster, only for special teams reasons. Hiding behind names such as Knile Davis, and De’Anthony Thomas, Wilson had low expectations, and priorities.
Chances were, he wasn’t even going to be on the roster much longer, right? Wrong. Wilson continued to open eyes, and continued to make his way to the top of the depth chart.
In 2014, he ended up starting two games, and caught 16 passes, for 260 yards. These stats might not be incredible, but coming from an undrafted prospect, these stats are actually are not too bad after all.
During his rookie season, Wilson did not score any touchdowns (nor did any of the Chiefs receivers), or make a name for himself in the NFL, but he did start a solid foundation of working his way to top into the 53 man roster.
So, what are the odds that Wilson made the roster as an undrafted free agent, and produce decent rookie season stats? Let’s say, slim to none. But somehow, Wilson did just that, and continued to elevate his game higher than ever expected.