Brandon T. Wilds had professional football choices while growing up in Blythewood, S.C.
To the North, the Carolina Panthers. To the West, the Atlanta Falcons.
Wilds picked the Falcons and is still an avid Warrick Dunn fan.
“I wear this necklace because he wore one just like it when he played,” Wilds said, while caressing his gold chain. “I told him that when he came to practice a few days ago.”
Wilds, who was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent after a solid career at South Carolina, has turned in a strong exhibition season. He’s clearly contending for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Wilds, who’s 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, has flashed some speed, power and agility while rushing 18 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns in two exhibition games.
He had a dazzling 32-yard run in the 24-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. Left tackle Tom Compton cleared his path with a nice block on Cleveland cornerback Eric Patterson. Wilds show patience in setting up the block.
Wilds shook of an arm tackle from safety Rahim Moore Jr. and stayed in bounds. Wilds kept on moving and dove into the end zone and through a hit by safety Derrick Kindred for the touchdown.
“What a terrific touchdown run, just in terms of setting up the block,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are the Falcons top two running backs. Last season’s third back was Terron Ward, who made the team as an undrafted rookie.
Ward has been slowed by an ankle injury. Cyrus Gray, a veteran running back, is also in the mix for the third running back spot. But Wilds has shined.
“He’s done a good job so far, in terms of giving himself a chance as we’re moving forward through some of these really important evaluations over the next few weeks,” Quinn said.
Gray, who rushed 18 times for 76 yards against the Browns, has to make the team. He doesn’t have any more practice squad eligibility. Wilds would be a strong practice squad candidate.
“He’s got good hands,” Quinn said.
The third back would have to contribute on special teams.
“He’s worked hard for Keith Armstrong on the special teams side,” Quinn said. “It’s his size that he can add a different dimension. He’s a 220-pound back who can play some of the big linebacker positions even on special teams.”
Wilds doesn’t have an issue with playing special teams.
“I’m going out there on kickoff coverage team, kickoff return, punt return, anything that coaches need me to do,” Wilds said. “I can play inside on the kickoff team or whatever the case maybe, just because of my speed alone. I can try to mix it up. I’m not afraid to tackle for any reason.”
Wilds, who graduated with an degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in December, has been a quick study.
“Learning your playbook, running plays, receiving, protections, once you get all of that down, the game will slow down,” Wilds said. “Once the game slows down it’s just you being an athlete.”
Wilds said the team enjoyed his run while watching the film review of the Browns game.
“It looked good,” Wilds said. “My job, anytime that I see one-on-one with a safety, I should be able to beat him either with speed or with power. That’s my mentality going in one-on-one with a safety or a corner.”
Wilds showed some power when he ran through Moore’s arm tackle.
“I knew I was still in bounds,” Wilds said. “My objective was just to stay in bounds and score. Once I saw that pylon I had to get the ball across as fast as possible.”
Wilds can also catch the ball out of the backfield.
“Definitely, that’s one of the key attributes that I have is catching the ball with my hands,” Wilds said. “I take pride in catching the ball. That’s definitely an asset that I have.”
