Senior Bowl: RB Dexter McCluster and WR Mardy Gilyard Improve NFL Draft Stock

After four days of hard practice, there are two offensive players who stand out above all other players, and they are Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster and Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard.

McCluster broke onto the college football scene in 2009 and became the first SEC player ever to run for over 1,000 yards and have over 500 yards receiving in the same year.

McCluster was best described when ESPN.com reported, "When you are 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, you better be explosive, and McCluster is surely that."

Initially projected as a late third-round or fourth-round pick, McCluster may have easily moved up in to the second round with his performances in practices leading up to the Senior Bowl, according to ESPN's Todd McShay.

McShay also said, "McCluster is the most dangerous player at the Senior Bowl and his versatility at running, receiving, and returns makes him invaluable to NFL teams that like to spread their offense."

In the mold of a Darren Sproles or DeSean Jackson, McCluster will not be an every-down running back with his small size, but he will bring an "X-factor" to whichever NFL team picks him in April's NFL Draft.

Also raising his draft stock is Bearcats receiver Mardy Gilyard, who has been projected as a third-round pick, but might have moved him into the second round too, outplaying other senior receivers this week.

Gilyard has good size at 6'1" and 185 pounds, but the most important aspects of Gilyard's game is not his size, hands, or speed, but his route running.

McShay said, "Gilyard is so fluid running his routes, he is also able to break free out of press coverage at the line of scrimmage."

The fact that he can break out of coverage and get open will make many NFL teams drool, because the biggest issue most rookie receivers have in the NFL is getting open off the line.

A quick honorable mention has to also go to virtually unknown wide receiver out of Ohio, Taylor Price.

Price is the ideal size to be a starter in the NFL at 6'1" and 215 pounds, but he demonstrated the ability to make every catch, easy or difficult and short or deep, that quarterbacks through to him, raising awareness of his talents and raising his draft stock too.

SI.com reported about Price's performance this week before the Senior Bowl saying, "Scouts were aware of his underlying talent entering the week but few expected Price to be as polished as he was on the field."

Look for McCluster, Gilyard, and Price to continue impressing scouts and coaches next month at the NFL Combine.