PITTSFORD – Kristian Wilkerson sees plenty of similarities between his new home and his hometown.
The Buffalo Bills wide receiver grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, which he feels shares many of the blue-collar traits for which Buffalo is known.
That’s part of the reason Wilkerson has adapted so quickly to his new team and new city. With injuries piling up at his position seemingly by the day, Wilkerson has steadily moved up the depth chart, to the point he’s taking reps with quarterback Josh Allen. That has brought him from afterthought status at the start of training camp squarely to the roster bubble.
“They make it fun here. It’s really easy. You want to be a part of this thing,” Wilkerson said Wednesday after the team’s penultimate practice of training camp at St. John Fisher University. “The team is just great, so you want to be able to do your part and know what you’re doing, so you don’t look out of place.”
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Day Six of Buffalo Bills Training Camp (copy)
Bills receiver Kristian Wilkerson runs after the catch during a recent practice at training camp. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Wilkerson, 28, didn’t sign with the Bills until May 20, meaning he’s not had a whole lot of time to get up to speed with the playbook. With Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and rookie seventh-round draft pick Kaden Prather out of the lineup at the moment because of injuries, Wilkerson has seen his workload in the practice setting increase. It’s fair to expect he’ll see a lot of playing time in Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants at Highmark Stadium, too.
The response to that increased workload has been positive in the team’s eyes.
“Wilk’s done a great job,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Wednesday. “He’s not a rookie. He’s played. He’s been in a few different schemes and (with a few different) teams. He’s a vet and I’m very pleased by his movement skills, his knowledge of the offense, being able to pick it up and looking to get some opportunities to make plays with it.”
Toward the tail end of Wednesday’s two-hour practice, Wilkerson caught a nice touchdown pass from quarterback Shane Buechele in front of tight coverage from cornerback Brandon Codrington. After practice, Wilkerson wasn’t ready to throw himself a parade, for that play or any of the others he’s made through the first few weeks of camp.
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“I’ve been in the league quite a while, so I’ve learned consistency rules,” he said. “Consistency is being where you need to be and making plays. I’ve been through quite a few camps where I’ve started off strong. They want to see you keep going. It’s like a stock, you want to keep going up. It’s always the next play. You’re only as good as your last. I really take that to heart. That resonates with me. In the moment you can celebrate, but then it’s on to the next play.”
As evidenced by what the Bills have gone through during training camp to this point, injuries are going to happen. It’s imperative that teams have quality depth to get them through those times when they do occur. Wilkerson is off to a good start in showing that he can potentially be a reliable option in that regard.
Wilkerson originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 before latching on with the New England Patriots later that year. He spent three seasons with the Patriots, then two more with the Las Vegas Raiders. In nine career games, he’s got six catches for 60 yards, including three touchdowns. He’s also got experience on special teams, which is a must for any receiver fighting for a depth roster spot.
He ”has a history of doing that and doing it well,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.
It’s no surprise that Wilkerson doesn’t shy away from the dirty work that comes on special teams. It’s in his DNA. His father, Sean, was a truck driver. His mother, Michelle Vaulx, worked two jobs to provide for him.
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Though he’s only made six catches for 60 yards in nine NFL games, Bills receiver Kristian Wilkerson has impressed the Buffalo coaching staff. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
“It’s kind of second nature at this point, working hard,” Wilkerson said. “I don’t even think about it. It’s been programmed in me from Little League, middle school, high school. It’s been like my main component in making it. Work ethic, being tough, will get you far in life.”
Wilkerson has had to overcome a severe concussion to continue his NFL career. While with the Patriots in 2022, Wilkerson was on the receiving end of a blindside hit by the Panthers’ Kenny Robinson causing a concussion. The hit resulted in Wilkerson appearing to lose consciousness and being sent to the hospital. He spent the entire year on New England’s injured reserve.
“I just thought it really was part of the game,” he said. “I didn’t really think it was anything serious. I know brain health is very serious, but it didn’t change the way I look at the game. It doesn’t change my love for the game, it won’t change my love for the game, because I know what I signed up for. I really didn’t feel bad. They (the Patriots) were looking out for me, I would say, so I appreciate that on their end.”
Wilkerson never stopped believing he’d eventually find his way back to the field. To borrow a favorite phrase of McDermott, he trusted that the process would pay off in the end.
Getting to catch passes from Bills quarterback and NFL MVP Allen, it would appear that Wilkerson was right. The receiver said his senses are heightened every time Allen is under center, knowing that at any given moment, a big play is possible. Allen is in his eighth year in the offense, while Wilkerson barely has eight weeks under his belt.
That inexperience, however, has not showed itself in the early part of training camp.
“He’s played NFL, varsity football,” general manager Brandon Beane said Monday on the team’s daily radio show. “He’s come right in here, he’s had no fear. He’s picked up the playbook from when we signed him in the spring, and he’s been fun to watch.”
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