A well-traveled tight end who has worn six different NFL uniforms since going undrafted out of Central Michigan in 2023.
Joel Wilson has made a career out of finding work, cycling through practice squads in New Orleans, Buffalo, Green Bay, New York and Chicago before landing with the Titans. A former quarterback in high school who converted to tight end in college, he offers Tennessee a developmental blocker and receiver with a track record of sticking around NFL rosters.
Path to the league
Wilson played quarterback at Petoskey High School in Michigan before converting to tight end at Central Michigan, where he played five seasons from 2018 to 2022. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the New Orleans Saints, but was released after failing his physical.
Career highlights
Wilson's best college season came in 2022, when he caught 44 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns despite a season-ending injury in week ten, earning third-team All-MAC honors. He totaled 82 receptions for 874 yards and 12 touchdowns across his Central Michigan career.
2025 season recap
Wilson joined the Titans' practice squad on September 15, 2025, his fifth NFL organization in three years, and signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee on January 5, 2026. He now sits on Tennessee's active roster as tight end depth.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Joel Wilson (American football)
- ESPN: Joel Wilson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Central Michigan
- Hometown
- Petoskey, MI, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
