NFL Draft Spotlight: Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

April 7, 2010 @ 00:00:00

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Bryce McRae

One of college football's most explosive weapons, Cincinnati wideout Mardy Gilyard is an intriguing if not enigmatic prospect. The Bearcat logged 204 career catches for 3,003 yards and scored 25 times through the air. His last two seasons have been near mirror images of each other, so consistency isn't much of a concern here.

Strengths

• Explosive acceleration, big-play ability
• Capable special teams returner
• Ability after the catch is aided by above-average speed, quick feet and vision.
• Excellent hands to make tough catches
• Good field awareness
• Comes out of his breaks with burst and keeps defenders on their heels
• Productive
• Emotional player; has resurrected his image after high school legal troubles - a youth mentor today

Weaknesses

• Ball security problems
• Sometimes drops easy passes
• Struggles as a blocker
• Rounds off routes sometimes

Expected draft placement

Gilyard reminds us somewhat of a poor man's Chad Ochocinco for his vertical ability and inconsistencies. Additionally, Gilyard loves him some him. He grades out to a strong second-round prospect in our eyes, and that is likely where he'll be drafted. Don't expect Gilyard to fall out of the second round, nor climb into the first.

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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