Mardy Gilyard Scouting Report

Back in 2005, Mardy Gilyard was a back-up cornerback, but he did show his speed and elusiveness by returning a few kick-offs. After sitting out the 2006 campaign for academic reasons, Gilyard started at wide receiver for the 2007 opener and he did not disappoint. In that game he caught eight passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. He could not keep those types of numbers up, but the table was set for his breakout season in 2008. During his junior campaign he caught 81 passes for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. It is his lack of size that is keeping Gilyard off the national radar as far as the NFL is concerned. He is only 6-1 and a mere 187 pounds, but nobody can stop him anyway. Through seven games in the 2009 campaign, Gilyard has racked up 47 receptions for 674 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also returned a majority of the kick-offs and punts, and returned a punt for a touchdown. Somebody will fall in love with Gilyard's elusiveness and speed. His size will drop him down a bit, but Gilyard is a very productive player who can do a lot for any offense. On a team that will spread out Gilyard and get him the ball with a little space to operate, he will be very good. 1/24 Update: Gilyard finished off his senior campaign catching 87 passes for 1,191 yards and 11 scores. He also ran for another touchdown and reached the end zone three more times on kickoff and punt returns. Gilyard was mostly shut down (at least by his standards) against Florida in the Sugar Bowl, but he has a large resume to look at and his ability to make plays is quite impressive. He may be a little risky as a wide receiver, but he can certainly return kicks right now at the next level and could even go back to playing some corner if necessary. That risk will keep him out of the first round, but all that potential should make him a second day selection, which means second or third round the way the draft is set up this year. 3/29 Update: A 4.61 40-time did not help Gilyard at the NFL Combine. He did improve upon those numbers at Cincinnati's pro day, but he does not have Golden Tate like speed and for somebody who is barely pushing 6-0, speed is necessary. He will get drafted, but the second or third round might be pushing it now; do not be surprised if Gilyard slips down to the fourth round.