Senior Bowl: Risers and Fallers

For 61 years now, the annual Senior Bowl has been a vital scouting tool for NFL teams.  For the last 60 years, Mobile, Alabama has become the unofficial home of the NFL for this week.  Each year we have players who help their draft stock during this week, and then there are those who hurt their stock.  The Senior Bowl week is the first exposure these prospects have to NFL coaching and an NFL style practice week and game.  It is a very good way to evaluate these prospects against the highest level of competition they have ever seen.

Risers

Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

Gilyard came into Mobile underrated and overlooked  by most in my opinion.  I already had him rated as a first round prospect, and as the #1 receiver in this  class.  Despite a solid career against quality opponents and a made for T.V. type of path to get where he now is, most had written Gilyard off.  You often hear people go straight  to talk about his size, his long speed, and the Brian Kelly "system."  Gilyard did a lot to silence those critics a bit.  He showed his quickness in and out of his breaks and his fluid route running ability.  He also made it clear his long speed isn't quite the issue many make it out to be.  He started his week slow by dropping some passes, but rebounded to have a solid practice week.  On game day, he showed scouts he's a gamer who can contribute in many ways.  He lined up all over the field and showed he ability to catch intermediate routes as well as his deep threat ability.  He showed he willing and able as a blocker, and is a good "team guy."  In addition to his play, I believe his story speaks volumes about his character, desire, and work ethic.  That should go a long way with NFL brass.  Gilyard was easily the most complete, most NFL ready receiver at the Senior Bowl.

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