The final steps in the draft process before the Scouting Combine wrapped up this weekend with the North topping the South in the Senior Bowl 31-13. For the most part, the players who excelled in practice shone during game conditions while some of the more flawed prospects had their question marks highlighted in the competitive setting.
Here's a stock report for some of the more intriguing prospects based on the results of the game.
Moving Up
DE Brandon Graham - The former Michigan man was named the game's most valuable player after an afternoon spent in the South's backfield. Graham had five tackles, two sacks, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble and showed a variety of pass-rush moves against different left tackles. Questions about Graham's size make his position in the NFL uncertain, but he showed that he has first-round caliber pass-rush ability.
WR Mardy Gilyard- The offensive MVP for the North, Gilyard caught five passes for 105 yards - including a 43-yard touchdown reception. Gilyard ran crisp routes and showed the best ability to separate from defenders of any receiver in the game.
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*DL Tyson Alualu *- Alualu is a high-motor defensive lineman who can play both tackle and end. One part of what was a dominant front seven for the North defense, Alualu was around the ball all afternoon and looks to be a solid second rounder at this stage.
*CB Patrick Robinson *- Robinson, the former Florida State Seminole, was one of the few players to shine for the South team. His coverage ability was unmatched on the field during the game, and he could find his name called in the latter stages of round one.
*OL Vladimir Ducasse *- Ducasse, a native of Haiti who moved to the United States when he was 14-years-old, is one of the more projectable players in the draft. Despite his perceived rawness as an offensive lineman, Ducasse showed very agile feet for a man of his size (6-foot-5, 326 pounds) and his pass protection appears more advanced than expected. After this week, it looks like Ducasse has what it takes to play left tackle.
*LB Sean Weatherspoon *- Considered a borderline first-rounder, Weatherspoon was impressive with his play and with his leadership ability. An inside linebacker at Missouri, Weatherspoon will play outside in the NFL but that didn't stop him from becoming the leader of what became a dominant defense, if only for one game. Weatherspoon showed to be adept against the run and the pass and sealed the game with an interception.
*DT Dan Williams *- Williams was the most impressive defensive tackle on the day, as he gave fits to Mike Iupati of Idaho, who is considered the premier interior lineman of the draft. Williams is too productive up the middle to last beyond the middle of the second round.
*QB Dan Lefevour- Lefevour had the best day of the six quarterbacks on Saturday, throwing for 97 yards and a touchdown. He twice threw a perfect deep ball to Gilyard and also showed impressive foot speed for a player his size (6-foot-3, 229 pounds), rushing for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Holding Steady *
*OL Mike Iupati *- Iupati dominated at times, especially as a run-blocker, when he was lined up at left guard. However, when Iupati swung to right guard, he seemed less comfortable and was beaten a few times by Williams. Mike Mayock, the game analyst for NFL Network, also pointed out that Iupati seems to have a penchant for offensive holding that could get him in trouble.
*S Taylor Mays *- Mays had one of the highlight plays of the game, picking off quarterback Sean Canfield right at the goal line. It was an important play for Mays to show that he doesn't have to rely on the big hit to be effective, but his overall talent as a cover man is still in question.
*QB Jarrett Brown *- Brown displayed what was clearly the best throwing arm of any of the six quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl. Brown's inexperience, having only started in college for one season, showed a few times when he rushed throws, but he also showed pinpoint accuracy when he set his feet. Brown will likely need time to sit and learn in the NFL, but he has more upside than almost any quarterback in the draft class.
Moving Down
*QB Tim Tebow- Despite the support and adulation of many spectators in attendance throughout the week, Tebow simply showed that he's a long way from being an elite quarterback prospect. The former Heisman winner had a lot of trouble taking the snap from under center, took too long to make decisions and to get rid of the ball, displayed poor ball security and simply does not have a strong enough arm. Whichever team drafts Tebow will have to be creative in the way that they use him, because he is not an every-down signal caller at the next level.
DE George Selvie- Selvie, a defensive end from South Florida, was exposed a few times on Saturday for his inability to correctly diagnose whether the play was a run or a pass. He also was unable to get to the quarterback, especially when lined up against Ducasse. After a productive collegiate career, Selvie may be waiting a few rounds before his name is called.
OT Ciron Black - Black, 6-foot-5, 331 pounds, simply does not have the feet to play left tackle in the NFL. He was beaten several times on Saturday, notably by Graham, and did little to show effectiveness in the run game as well.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 10:54 a.m., February 1
