Rookie free agent profile: Eddie Wide, RB, Utah

Eddie Wide, 5'10" 197
RB, Utah

Rankings: 43rd-ranked running back by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player who should make an NFL training camp.
NFLDraftScout ranked him 44th at RB, 522nd overall. Free-agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2010: Started six games. 149 carries, 717 yards (4.8 avg) and 11 TDs. 34 receptions for 271 yards (8.0 avg) and 2 more TDs. Lost 3 fumbles. Second on team in carries behind Matt Asiata (also undrafted).
2009: First-team All-Mountain West. Started eight games. 203 carries, 1,069 yards (5.3 avg) and 12 TDs. 17 receptions for 154 yards (9.1 avg) and another TD. Seven 100-yard games (six in a row). Led conference in rushing TDs, second in rushing yards. Fumbled 3 times, losing 2.
2008: Started four games. 30 carries, 183 yards (6.1 avg). 6 tackles on special teams.
2007: Academic All-Mountain West. 19 carries, 44 yards (2.3 avg). 6 tackles on special teams.

Father Eddie Wide, Jr. played for UNLV.

Major: sociology.

Injuries:
2010: Had high ankle sprain in October game vs. Air Force but did not appear to miss any time. Came out of November 29th game with unspecified injury. Did not miss significant time.

Pro Day Stats: (not invited to NFL Combine)
4.56 40 per Gil Brandt (4.47 per NFLDraftScout)
4.61 short shuttle (4.69)
7.03 3-cone drill (7.19)
36” vertical leap
10’02” broad jump
16 bench presses

Combine RB averages (2010): 4.61 40, 7.03 3-cone, 36” vertical.

Positives: Patient runner who sets up his blocks well and gets upfield quickly. Runs hard, finishes his runs, plays to the whistle. Decent first step, footwork and feel between the tackles. Good vision. Good receiver out of the backfield with soft hands.

Negatives: Only average size and build (5’10” may be generous measurement). Not sudden. Runs too upright and takes bigger hits than he has to. Tight-hipped. Can’t make defenders miss. Lacks speed/agility to the outside. Not a breakaway threat. Doesn’t have much of a second gear. Slow to react and lacks power and technique on blitz pickup. Doesn’t have enough qualities to make an NFL roster.

Compares to: Colts RB Mike Hart. Similar size, style, speed/big play limitations.

Fun Facts: It may be a good omen that Eddie Wide has a few things in common with Steven Jackson. They’re both Las Vegas natives, had terrific high school careers (Wide was Gatorade’s 2006 Nevada Player of the Year) and both played in the Las Vegas Bowl. Jackson’s bowl experience (55-14 win) was a lot better than Wide’s, though (26-3 loss).

RamView: Eddie Wide never really won the starting job at Utah – he inherited it when fellow UDFA Matt Asiata got injured and platooned with him after that – so he’ll be sledding uphill to find a job with the Rams. He definitely has tools to work with, though. You always like a runner with great patience. Wide’s best skill, though, is his receiving; he was a very accomplished receiver his senior year. Sounds like Keith Toston has some competition in training camp.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2011 Draft Guide, NFLDraftScout.com, CBSSports.com, Utah Athletics website, National Football Post, NFL.com, Rotoworld.com, Consensus Draft Services, Wikipedia

Photo from Sports Illustrated