Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly: Myles Wade
This is a picture of Portland State playing football. Myles Wade played for Portland State, that’s about the best I can do.
For the second edition of the controversially named “Obscure Seahawks Bi-Weekly” series (I understand the complaints but I’m sticking with it because the dictionary is on my side and it sounds like the name of an excellent bird watching periodical to me) the player featured is DT Myles Wade. Wade is an intriguing player who is something of a physical specimen with a bit of an odd path to the NFL (JUCO transfer followed by two years at Texas Tech and one at Portland State where he went into graduate studies to maintain his eligibility). Sounds like a Seahawk to me, here’s a closer look.
The Basics
Age 23 (24 in August)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 310
Number: #95
Method of Acquisition: Free Agent 1/16/13, Wade had made his way to the Seahawks practice squad from the Buccaneers by the end of the 2012 season.
Years Pro: 2
40 yard dash time: 5.10 seconds
Vertical: 35 ½ inches
Benchpress: 42 reps
NCAA career stats: 27GP 15 GS 38 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 4 TFL
Fun Fact: Wade blocked two kicks in his 2011 year at Portland State, one of them to win the game against Northern Arizona.
Scouting Report
Myles Wade has very impressive physical tools but his fairly unproductive NCAA career demonstrates that those skills don’t always manifest themselves on the field. He is stout and strong and as such could have a future as a rotational run stopper, but reports indicate that Wade is stiff and does not move especially well, suggesting a virtually non-existent pass rushing ceiling. His strength does lend itself to the bull rush which explains the blocked kicks and the sacks he recorded. Wade was thought to be a sleeper approaching the 2012 draft and it was something of surprise he went undrafted. When it comes to “unique characteristics” Pete Carroll is likely enamored with Wade’s measurables in general, and his raw strength in particular.
Chances of Making the Team
Slim to none. Although defensive tackle was a well-documented need for the Seahawks this off-season they have so many bodies at the position now that it’s hard to imagine Wade having a chance. Mebane is a lock to make the roster, and the two new draftees Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams looks like pretty safe bets as well. The Seahawks will keep four or five defensive tackles so that leaves 2012 4th round pick Jaye Howard, free agent signing Tony McDaniel, and 5th year pro Clinton McDonald fighting for one, or at most two, spots on the roster. I don’t see Wade beating out all three of those guys or even two of them. That being said, it is always good to have depth on the defensive line and they’ve had Wade on the practice squad before so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him there again. Arbitrary Estimates: 1% chance of making the team, 22% chance of making the practice squad.