Kristian Wilkerson is pursuing multiple paths towards a Patriots roster spot

Author Alex Barth

August 2nd, 2021 9:31 AM

Kristian Wilkerson few under the radar as a rookie in 2020. The Southeast Missouri State wide receiver spent training camp with the Tennessee Titans before being released during final roster cuts. He was promptly signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, and was elevated for one game during the season, playing two offensive snaps.

As his second NFL season gets underway, Wilkerson is making more noise. Teammates raved about his performance as Jarrett Stidham’s and Cam Newton’s unofficial passing camps. He followed that up with an impressive first week of training camp, highlighted by arguably the best catch a Patriots player has made this summer, fading back to grab a 50/50 ball on Day 1 of practice.

Wilkerson began camp in a crowded group of receivers presumably competing for the final spot at the position on the 53-man roster. Others expected to have a shot at that role include Isaiah Zuber and Tre Nixon.

While Wilkerson’s hot start drew the most attention, it’s not even his most relevant part of the week when it comes to earning that spot in the roster. In fact, the time he spent separated from the offense may have been the most valuable.

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  During positional drills on the second day of practice, Wilkerson left the group of wide receivers to work with special teams ace Matthew Slater. The two only spent a few minutes together, but the fact the coaches allowed him that one-on-one time is notable. Special teams is the path to the roster for bubble players, and clearly it's something the coaching staff wanted him working on.
  
  Based on an interview he gave last season while with the Titans, Wilkerson is no stranger to special teams, and should be eager to fill a role in the kicking game.
  
  "I played on special teams my first two years at [Southeast Missouri State]. I’d like to play on every single special teams unit. If they can put me on all four units, that would be great for me," he told Justin Melo of SB Nation. "I’d be happy to play on every return team. I can run down the field and be a gunner."

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  Speaking with the media last week, Slater explained just how that can be a make-or-break mentality for a player in Wilkerson's position.
  
  "I think that’s a big part of my role on this team now to try to get the buy in from the younger players to help them understand that this can be a bridge to maybe more playing time in the future, or just an opportunity for you to have a career." Slater explained. "The reality is you go out there, you’re not gonna have 7 starting receivers on game day, somebody’s gonna have to go out there and play in the kicking game if they’re gonna be active."
  
  "Helping those guys understand that and see the big picture I think is part of my job as a leader on this team, especially when it comes to the kicking game," Slater continued. "They want to give themselves every chance they can to make this football team, they show the coaches that they’re flexible and have position flexibility, they can go out and contribute in a variety of different ways - it’s going to give them a chance to make this team."
  
  Speaking with the media after Tuesday's practice, Wilkerson said he's been doing his best to emulate Slater. "[I'm] just trying to soak it all up because he’s done it so well for a long time," Wilkerson explained. "He’s a good guy to look up to. I look up to him in every aspect – on the field and off the field. So just learning everything."
  
  It's still very early, and there hasn't even been a padded practice yet this summer. But so far, Wilkerson appears to be doing everything he needs to do to angle himself for a roster spot this fall. If he can keep it up (and overcome the No. 17 curse), his 2021 should be a little more eventful on the football field than his 2020.

MORE: Is N’Keal Harry now happy in New England?

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Author Alex Barth

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