The 2010 Senior Bowl: The Risers and Sinkers
Posted by smashmouthdraft | Posted in | Posted on 5:17 PM
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The 2010 Senior Bowl: The Risers and Sinkers
The Senior Bowl has always been one of the most effective ways for a prospect heading into the National Football League draft to raise their draft stock. The week of preparation, practices and interviews and of course the game itself is always vital for a player to impress. However, as every year many impress and showcase their abilities, others may see their draft status take a nosedive. This upcoming list is no particular order.
THE RISERS
Brandon Graham - Defensive End - Michigan Wolverines
Brandon Graham since the opening few drills, showed that he was among one of the best defensive ends at the Senior Bowl - and possibly in the NFL Draft. Graham with a size of 6'2 and weighing in at 265 pounds, had scouts really questioning his arm length and weight. The Michigan product and Big 10 defensive player of the year had no problems being effective for the North defense, recording two sacks and a forced fumble in the Senior Bowl game. Graham clearly stood out from the pack, constantly playing in the backfield of the South, and abusing LSU's Ciron Black all day long. The high motor and aggressive style of play was very evident, and with a performance like this, Graham solidifies himself in the first round next April.
Kyle Wilson - Cornerback - Boise State Broncos
One of the players who made the most money, and had one of the most solid weeks of practice was Kyle Wilson. Wilson shined especially in the 1-1 pass drills, showing the ability to lock down the receivers on short patterns, as well as longer patterns, running stride for stride and attacking the ball in the air. Wilson has matured constantly this season with Boise State, becoming more of a complete corner. The toughness he possesses for a cornerback is very rare and I feel in the right scheme, he could absolutely thrive in the NFL. A team in the mid-late first round searching for a corner, this may be the guy.
Mardy Gilyard - Wide Receiver - Cincinatti Bearcats
Gilyard had an extremely unimpressive first few days of practice at the Senior Bowl. Once the jitters were gone, and Mardy began playing his game, he has shown what has wowed scouts all throughout his career with the Bearcats. The amazing ability to create dynamic plays, as well as the shifty smooth running was very evident in the drills and the game. Gilyard had his way with Javier Arenas of the Crimson Tide in the Senior Bowl game, and looked like too much to handle for Arenas all throughout the game. A complete package threat like Mardy Gilyard is very tough to find, look for a team to pick him up in the mid-second round.
THE SINKERS
THE RISERS
Brandon Graham - Defensive End - Michigan Wolverines
Brandon Graham since the opening few drills, showed that he was among one of the best defensive ends at the Senior Bowl - and possibly in the NFL Draft. Graham with a size of 6'2 and weighing in at 265 pounds, had scouts really questioning his arm length and weight. The Michigan product and Big 10 defensive player of the year had no problems being effective for the North defense, recording two sacks and a forced fumble in the Senior Bowl game. Graham clearly stood out from the pack, constantly playing in the backfield of the South, and abusing LSU's Ciron Black all day long. The high motor and aggressive style of play was very evident, and with a performance like this, Graham solidifies himself in the first round next April.
Kyle Wilson - Cornerback - Boise State Broncos
One of the players who made the most money, and had one of the most solid weeks of practice was Kyle Wilson. Wilson shined especially in the 1-1 pass drills, showing the ability to lock down the receivers on short patterns, as well as longer patterns, running stride for stride and attacking the ball in the air. Wilson has matured constantly this season with Boise State, becoming more of a complete corner. The toughness he possesses for a cornerback is very rare and I feel in the right scheme, he could absolutely thrive in the NFL. A team in the mid-late first round searching for a corner, this may be the guy.
Mardy Gilyard - Wide Receiver - Cincinatti Bearcats
Gilyard had an extremely unimpressive first few days of practice at the Senior Bowl. Once the jitters were gone, and Mardy began playing his game, he has shown what has wowed scouts all throughout his career with the Bearcats. The amazing ability to create dynamic plays, as well as the shifty smooth running was very evident in the drills and the game. Gilyard had his way with Javier Arenas of the Crimson Tide in the Senior Bowl game, and looked like too much to handle for Arenas all throughout the game. A complete package threat like Mardy Gilyard is very tough to find, look for a team to pick him up in the mid-second round.
THE SINKERS
Tim Tebow - Quarterback - Florida
Tim Tebow, like predicted, was under the microscope in Mobile, all week long. Battling through sickness and all, Tebow looked to grow up in the practices working in the pro-style offense. Come game time, Tebow disappointed going 3-6 passing and fumbling twice. A lack luster performance will not however change the scouts mind about Tebow, considering his sickness and the amount of media attention, look for Tebow to stay on the board until the mid-secound round as a team will look to groom the project that is Tim Tebow.
Taylor Mays - Safety - Southern Cal
Tim Tebow, like predicted, was under the microscope in Mobile, all week long. Battling through sickness and all, Tebow looked to grow up in the practices working in the pro-style offense. Come game time, Tebow disappointed going 3-6 passing and fumbling twice. A lack luster performance will not however change the scouts mind about Tebow, considering his sickness and the amount of media attention, look for Tebow to stay on the board until the mid-secound round as a team will look to groom the project that is Tim Tebow.
Taylor Mays - Safety - Southern Cal
Easily one of the most freakish athletes in the 2010 draft, is the safety hailing out of Southern Cal, Taylor Mays. Devistating hits, and punishing licks have constantly been on display when No. 2 is on the football field. Mays however, had a very poor overall week at the Senior Bowl. All the questions that remain, still are unanswered as he did not look good in space and struggled mightly in coverage. The one chance in the Senior Bowl game to impress scouts with his playmaking skills, off a bad Zac Robinson pass, Taylor Mays caught the football and immediately slid down to the field. An overall week with no questions in his game being answered may tarnish the stock of Mays slightly, but do not be surprised to see him selected in the mid-late first round.
Mike Iupati - Offensive Guard - Idaho
Mike Iupati has had scouts in awe all year long, and the Senior Bowl week was truly his chance to shine and show-off his unbelievable strength and size. The exact opposite occurred for Iupati in his week of practice and game to shine. The practices were pretty well done by the Idaho prospect, but the game was another story. He found himself being beat by technique constantly and having to rely on strength in many cases. A lot of blarring obvious cases of holding by Iupati also were evident. Easily the best prospect at the guard position in this years draft, did not make the splash that many people predicted he would. With that being said, the athletic build up and potential is enormous - therefore, look for a team to select him in the 12-20 range in the first round.
Written by Kristian D'Ignazio of Smashmouth Draft Inc. - February 2nd, 2010.
Mike Iupati - Offensive Guard - Idaho
Mike Iupati has had scouts in awe all year long, and the Senior Bowl week was truly his chance to shine and show-off his unbelievable strength and size. The exact opposite occurred for Iupati in his week of practice and game to shine. The practices were pretty well done by the Idaho prospect, but the game was another story. He found himself being beat by technique constantly and having to rely on strength in many cases. A lot of blarring obvious cases of holding by Iupati also were evident. Easily the best prospect at the guard position in this years draft, did not make the splash that many people predicted he would. With that being said, the athletic build up and potential is enormous - therefore, look for a team to select him in the 12-20 range in the first round.
Written by Kristian D'Ignazio of Smashmouth Draft Inc. - February 2nd, 2010.
