Explosive in the open field, changes directions quickly
Can get separation with pure speed
Nice ball skills, good body control
Great return man, can break a big return at any time
Has a lot of experience, and extremely productive in college
Has great potential, could get a lot better
Steps his game up in crucial situations
Cons
Needs to get stronger and add some weight
Needs to be a sharper route runner
Struggles with physical coverage
Durability could be an issue, with multiple nagging injuries throughout college
Overall
The best way to describe Mardy Gilyard is explosive, whether it's busting a screen pass for a big game, beating the coverage over the top, or returning kicks, Gilyard can pick up huge chunks of yards in a short amount of time. He is a playmaker who stepped up throughout the season when his team needed him. He has much room for improvement and has a very high ceiling. He needs to get stronger and add some bulk, he also needs to work on his route running, which if he does will make him extremely difficult to cover without a double team. His game is a lot like NFL receivers Greg Jennings and Santonio Holmes, guys who can be a deep threat and stretch the field, and turn 6 or 7 yard gains into 30 or 40 yard gains. Gilyard is the leader in a very good second tier of receivers and should come off the board early in round 2.
