Dave Martin / AP

Cincinnati's Mardy Gilyard racked up 103 yards receiving and caught this 32-yard touchdown pass to help the North defeat the South 31-13 in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

OPINION

By Russ Lande

updated 1:48 p.m. ET Feb. 2, 2010

MOBILE, Ala. - After the North's 31-13 victory Saturday in the Senior Bowl, Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts identified the players who helped and hurt their draft status:

Helped themselves

• Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
  Graham had a very good week of practice, showing he was clearly the best defensive end at the Senior Bowl with his ability to be a physical force against the run and pressure the quarterback. He followed that with an excellent performance Saturday that landed him the game MVP award. He consistently got to the QB and finished with five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Graham has solidified himself as a first-round pick.
• Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
  Atkins (6-1, 286) came to Mobile viewed as an undersized lineman who would struggle matching up against much bigger NFL guards. But after an excellent week of practice and a strong showing in the game, we are confident he has eliminated those doubts. He consistently showed the rare quickness and explosiveness to shoot gaps and blow up plays in the backfield. As a smaller tackle, he shocked many NFL people with his strength against much bigger blockers. Atkins' strong Senior Bowl will move him into the second round. If he can sustain his performance in spring workouts, he could move into the bottom of the first round.
• Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia
  Owens did not have a dominant college season in his return from a season-ending knee injury in 2008. As a result, NFL people wondered if he would ever get back to being the player he was before the injury. Owens erased many of those concerns by shining at Mobile. He dominated at the point of attack with strength, hand use and the explosiveness to jolt blockers. But what grabbed the NFL's attention most was Owens' ability to beat one-on-one pass blocks with very quick pass-rush moves. Before the Senior Bowl, Owens was considered a likely third- or fourth-round pick. Now, he is viewed as a definite second-rounder, with a good chance to move into the first round.
• LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
  After a senior season that was pretty much ruined by his decision to punch an opponent following the season-opening loss to Boise State, Blount definitely opened eyes all week. He is a big, strong back who showed the power to run through arm tackles and consistently gain yards after contact. What impressed teams most was his ability to make good cuts and get through the backside hole with surprising quickness. He didn't show the explosiveness and speed to take plays the distance, but he impressed personnel men enough to climb into third-round consideration.
• Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi
  He had an excellent week of practice, showing the quickness, explosiveness and burst to make big plays. He also exhibited excellent vision and instincts and the sharp cutting ability to make tacklers miss. He caught the ball very well and was a big threat in the open field, both on offense and as a returner. In the game, however, his fumble raised further concerns about a problem that cropped up throughout his college career. Though McCluster may not have had a big game, he clearly helped himself in Mobile and might have locked up a spot in the third round.
• Andre Roberts, WR, The Citadel
  He had a strong week of practice, showing he had the athleticism and receiving skills to make the step up in competition. He also displayed the quickness, agility and burst out of his cuts to run sharp routes and get separation. And he exhibited soft and natural hands. In the game, he not only showed all those skills, but he consistently made clutch catches and tough receptions on off-target throws. After arriving in Mobile as a late-round prospect, he left as a likely third- or fourth-rounder who could move even higher with a strong Combine.
• Mardy Gilyard, WR/KR, Cincinnati
  Though Gilyard did not dominate at Mobile, he showed he has the athleticism and explosiveness to be a playmaker in the NFL. Throughout practice, he had no trouble getting separation from defenders and displayed the agility to change directions in a flash. He also looked good as a returner. He dropped some passes during the week, raising concerns about his hands. But he caught the ball well in the game — as he did in games all season — and flashed his knack for making big plays. He had a big return and pulled in a 32-yard TD pass on an over-the-shoulder catch. Though some may still have concerns about his hands, we hear Gilyard has locked up a spot between picks 20 and 45.

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