Marco

Wilson

Wilson only appeared in four games for the Bengals last year. He was on and off the game-day roster early in the season before a hamstring issue in Week 12 ended his season. Wilson began his career as a starter in Arizona and has since settled into a reserve role on multiple teams. He will likely continue that trend in Miami.

The Bengals’ defense has struggled enough this year, so losing a starting cornerback is not ideal. We’ll see if Drake Maye and the Patriots are able to take advantage.

The former fourth-round pick was cut by the Patriots in the middle of the 2024 season. Cincinnati claimed him off waivers and used him primarily on special teams for six games. The one-year deal gives him a shot to earn more work as a depth option at corner while still contributing on special teams if he makes the Bengals’ 53-man roster.

It’s the second waiver claim on Wilson in as many years, as the Patriots claimed him in the middle of last season from the Cardinals. Wilson has yet to deliver above a 61.2 PFF coverage grade in his four years in the NFL, but with DJ Turner (clavicle) down, the Bengals clearly needed depth at corner.

Wilson played a season-low nine defensive snaps in the Patriots’ Week 11 loss to the Rams. The fourth-year corner was claimed off waivers by the Patriots last December and has played on 206 defensive snaps this season while earning a PFF coverage grade of 51.2. Wilson has 54 games of playing experience under his belt and has made 37 starts. It wouldn’t be surprising if he was picked up by another team in the coming days.

The 2021 fourth-round pick was waived by the Cardinals earlier this year. The move was a bit of a surprise as Wilson started 11 games and appeared in all 15 before being cut. He has four pass breakups and 52 tackles this year. Wilson will look to make a good impression in New England to close out the year.

Wilson tallied two interceptions off of Tom Brady before walking under his own power to the locker room with members of the Arizona medical staff. His return is questionable.

The Cardinals will be without two of their top three corners with Robert Alford on IR. Cardinals FS Budda Baker (ribs) is questionable, leaving the secondary potentially down multiple starters. Wilson’s absence is an upgrade for Dak Prescott and the Dallas pass offense.

Speaking Wednesday, coach Kliff Kingsbury said it “doesn’t look good” for the rookie starter’s odds of suiting up against Dallas. That’s a big deal with fellow starter Robert Alford on injured reserve. Alford has been sub-replacement level this season, but the Cardinals will be digging deeper than any team wants to on the depth front against a Cowboys passing attack that finally exploded in Week 16 vs. Washington.

The Ravens sent the Cardinals the No. 136 and 210 picks, with the Ravens getting No. 160 and a 2022 fourth-rounder. Wilson (6'0/191) finished his Florida career best known for tossing a shoe that netted a game-changing penalty against LSU in 2020. Wilson was a longtime contributor for the Gators, however, and would have played a considerable amount in four consecutive seasons if not for a knee injury that sidelined him in 2018. As a player, Wilson’s stunning athleticism (4.35 40-yard dash, 6.80-second three cone, and above 90th-percentile jumps) and experience never quite matched the film. Wilson is often a tick slow coming out of breaks and driving to the ball, which seemed to be more an issue of eye discipline, trigger, and proper spacing. Wilson also does not excel as a press cornerback right now. More than anything, Wilson got by at UF with tremendous speed and the flexibility to play inside and out. Wilson is probably best in an off-man scheme but is a big gamble on athletic profile rather than film.