FantasyLion.com: All Day

by Brandon LaClair, RookieBlitz.com

We will take a look at Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard as he enters the 2010 NFL Draft.  We’ll examine his strengths/weaknesses, college career and our expectations for his upcoming NFL career.

Strengths

• Playmaker: Has the ability to create yards after the catch with his shiftiness and burst out of his breaks, which inevitably keeps defenders on their heels
• Vision/field awareness: Capability of finding open space in the zone and the aptitude to get open when a play breaks down.  This is one of the more vital components to have in the league because defenses are so fast that when plays break down, the quarterback needs the sure-fire target that he knows will be able to get open.  Gilyard fits that profile perfectly
• Consistency: As a starting wide receiver in his final two years at Cincinnati, Gilyard has only one game without a catch, and only three games with three receptions or less

Weaknesses

• Route running: Tends to round off his routes, sometimes making him unreliable for his quarterback because timing and anticipation is so vital.  Gilyard must amend this sluggish approach as he enters the pro game because a skilled cornerback will feast on inconsistencies such as this
• Speed: While Gilyard has great quickness, his top-end speed is only adequate.  He won’t have the facility to blow by cornerbacks in the NFL as he has routinely done in college.  His pro day 40-yard dash time was 4.52.  If he strengthens his lower-half, he may be able to cut into the 40-time more, therefore allowing him to be more of a threat at both the receiver position and as a punt/kick returner
• Hands: Gilyard has been very productive over his past two seasons as he has tallied 168 catches, but he tends to rely on catching the ball with his body.  In the league, being able to catch the ball with your hands is essential because many times a cornerback will be draped over the receiver and the ability to catch the ball with outstretched arms may determine his overall success as a receiver in the NFL

(All statistical information obtained from ESPN.com & Wikipedia.com)

Gilyard started out his college football career as a cornerback for the Bearcats.  After a disappointing season where he recorded only seven tackles, he was transferred to the wide receiver position.  Gilyard started seven out of 12 games for Cincinnati recording 36 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns.

Gilyard became a full-time starter for Cincinnati in his junior season and from there, he officially became a star.  Gilyard tallied 81 receptions for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns.   He showed amazing consistency as he caught seven or more passes in 7-out-of-13 games in 2008.  He also scored two touchdowns as the Bearcats’ kick/punt returner.

The Bearcat receiver had his best season in 2009 as he racked up 87 receptions (school record) for 1,191 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns (2 special teams’ touchdowns).  Gilyard logged five games with at least 100 yards receiving and five games with seven or more receptions.  He earned 1^st team All-America honors with Tony Pike for their outstanding seasons.

For his career, Gilyard had 204 receptions for 3,003 yards and 29 touchdowns (4 special teams).

While Gilyard lacks top-end speed, he is still very elusive in the open field because the shiftiness and vision that he displays puts keeps defenders on their heels, therefore not allowing them to deliver a clean hit.

Gilyard will be most useful in the slot in the NFL because of his inherent ability as a quick screen target using his overwhelming acceleration to give the offense big gains consistently.

Ball security has been an issue for Gilyard, especially on kick/punt returns, but once he adds more strength to his thin frame, this problem should subside.

Though Gilyard has some slight issues to correct in his game, they will be worked through with time.  He should display greatness in the return game as his opportunities will be bountiful.  Conversely, as a receiver, it will take time to make an impact as he will most likely be used in 3^rd down situations only to start his career.

Gilyard’s game is similar to that of DeSean Jackson because of his multifaceted talents on the offensive side of the ball as well as in special teams.

Gilyard is likely to be selected in the late first or early second round because his upside cannot be ignored and that fact will be realized by an NFL squad that needs a playmaker in the offense.

Coming from the troubled background that Gilyard did, a good portion of the populace would either be incarcerated or dead, but Gilyard is on the brink of being drafted in the NFL and deservedly so.  The intangible quality that was present as he fought through the difficult times as a child through his early years at Cincinnati will serve him well as he fights through the rigors that the NFL game has to offer.

Follow Rookie Blitz on Twitter