Video: Path to the Draft talks with McCluster

[dcfanatic]

Path To The Draft talks with Dexter McCluster

The Senior Bowl practices had me convinced I wanted the Cowboys to draft Dexter McCluster because he was showing another gear on the field down in Alabama. He had some highlight catches which convinced me that he could be a situational player in the slot and also as a 3rd down RB on occasion. Plus he had some serious potential as a kick/punt returner.

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First let me say I never thought about him in the first round. So it was always about whether or not going after him in the second round made sense for the Cowboys.

Do I still feel the same way about him?

Very tough question. Is there anyone like him on the Cowboys roster right now? No. Do the Cowboys really need a guy like him on the roster? No. Would he probably make some really exciting plays while catching some quick screen passes and returning kicks? Yes. Would he maybe drop all the way to the third round? No. Do I love players like him who fight against the 'small players can't find a home in the NFL? Yes.

Questions. And more questions. LOL.

Right this second he's not a necessity so I don't think spending a second round pick on him is worth it. There will be still be some very good Safeties, OL or DL on the board at the #59 spot.

But you find a way to get him to me in the third round and I take him in a heartbeat.

 

[Hostile]

I'll take him in the 2nd, but at the top of the 3rd if we could somehow get there would be ideal.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I love the idea of him. Can some old heads tell me if its a myth that we prefer bigger players at every poistion?

 

[masomenos]

I love the idea of him. Can some old heads tell me if its a myth that we prefer bigger players at every poistion?

I don't know if it's a complete myth, but recent history seems to suggest that we have no problem taking a smaller player over a larger one. Felix over Mendenhall, Jenkins over Cason, the drafting of Jason Williams, etc. Patrick Crayton has been a staple of our offense for years and he's by no means a big player. Zach Thomas was brought in last year. Alan Ball is a twig.

I've said it before, but I think what we really value is athleticism. I know that seems like an obvious statement, but it's true. While some teams place a higher value on field readiness or college production, we tend to place a higher value on raw athleticism.

 

[JBell]

I don't know if it's a complete myth, but recent history seems to suggest that we have no problem taking a smaller player over a larger one. Felix over Mendenhall, Jenkins over Cason, the drafting of Jason Williams, etc. Patrick Crayton has been a staple of our offense for years and he's by no means a big player. Zach Thomas was brought in last year. Alan Ball is a twig.

I've said it before, but I think what we really value is athleticism. I know that seems like an obvious statement, but it's true. While some teams place a higher value on field readiness or college production, we tend to place a higher value on raw athleticism.

Good post.

 

[Zaxor]

I think the guy is special..I watched 3 games of his and no one could stop him when he went against Monte Kiffen's Vols and just tore them up it got my attention.

 

[jswalker1981]

If we draft him, he will be our slot wr/return guy. He will probably be listed as a wr. And if we keep five active, that would give us Roy, Miles, Crayton, Ogletree, and McCluster. He is a guy, that if he is there at our 2nd rd pick, I take him. I take him just because he can be so dynamic to the team, not just on offense, but as a returner. I just hope he can do both, punt and kickoff returns.

 

[jswalker1981]

I think the guy is special..I watched 3 games of his and no one could stop him when he went against Monte Kiffen's Vols and just tore them up it got my attention.

Umm, yep. I just saw the highlights of that game. I'm a fan.

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[dbair1967]

As an SEC guy, I've seen him quite a bit and he made alot of plays, but most of them were as a RB. He doesnt have much experience as a kick or punt return guy, and he really had little success doing it. He has 11 punt returns for under 60 yds for his career there. Thats not even 6.0 yds per punt return. He barely averaged 20yds per kick return. He has no tds or long returns to his credit. Doesnt mean he wont be able to do it in the pros, but I think alot of people had the idea he was a really explosive return guy who had made alot of big plays doing it, and that has not been the case.

His best position is probably RB, and we really dont have a spot for him there if they intend to keep all 3 RB's, which is what they say they're going to do. Not sure he has enough skill to be a fulltime WR.

 

[AKATheRake]

Quick, agile and shifty little spark plug. He's not fast running in the late 4.5's in a 40 but he's very shifty. Very good in space obviously but not much else in close traffic near the line of scrimmage.

In the pros, there is a lot less space and a lot faster players. He's not a guy who could get more than 5 touches between runs, screens and some passes out in the flats. I rather give that work to Felix Jones and/or Tashard Choice.

As a return guy, I like his shiftiness and I think there may be some developmental talent there, but he is not experienced in returns as of now.

I would not take him with a top 3 pick based on what I think would help us now. This player does not help us now. We need some o-lineman for depth, development, more importantly to compete in camp and hopefully replace a vet or 2.

Also need a safety if we don't get Atogwe and that option has its complications. We also need some D-lineman to compete in camp and/or add depth at NT for the very least.

3rd to 4th round I don't mind looking for our kick returner. If it's a Devin Hester or Joshua Cribbs, we and everyone else knows the player will be one of those guys, than I don't mind moving up from the 3rd into the late 2nd and grabbing that player for returns.

But otherwise, OL, Safety and DL in the first 3 rounds. The value in this draft is in those positions and that's what we need anyways.

I pass on this guy unless he drops to the 4th or 5th round and he won't.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I think he would be a perfect fit in the offense as a slot guy and provide a major spark in the return game. Using the second round pick on him would be well worth it in my opinion.

 

[AKATheRake]

In regards to a slot WR, that's where Patrick Crayton does his best work. We have already paid him pretty decent money.

I know it would be nice to have a burner there who is good in the slot but then what do you do with Crayton. Plus Ogletree is basically turning into that guy.

So unless we trade Crayton, which I am never opposed to, I don't see us using a 2nd - 3rd on a WR/ return player. Too much money dumped into the WR position once Austin gets his new deal too.

Blame that on RW11 and a high priced slot WR already on the team. # 19 is well worth whatever he gets.

 

[CATCH17]

In regards to a slot WR, that's where Patrick Crayton does his best work. We have already paid him pretty decent money.

I know it would be nice to have a burner there who is good in the slot but then what do you do with Crayton. Plus Ogletree is basically turning into that guy.

So unless we trade Crayton, which I am never opposed to, I don't see us using a 2nd - 3rd on a WR/ return player. Too much money dumped into the WR position once Austin gets his new deal too.

Blame that on RW11 and a high priced slot WR already on the team. # 19 is well worth whatever he gets.

You rotate guys in and out is what you do. And Ogletree is turning more into a starter than he is just a slot guy.

If we can get someone who can stretch the middle of the field as well as be a posession guy and a returner as well I think that would help us bigtime.

 

[Hostile]

If we draft him, he will be our slot wr/return guy. He will probably be listed as a wr. And if we keep five active, that would give us Roy, Miles, Crayton, Ogletree, and McCluster. He is a guy, that if he is there at our 2nd rd pick, I take him. I take him just because he can be so dynamic to the team, not just on offense, but as a returner. I just hope he can do both, punt and kickoff returns.

Great post. For everyone who laments not taking Percy Harvin, this kid would be our version , and he has better character.

 

[Gaede]

I really like the kid; would love to see us draft him. I don't think we will though so I'm not gonna get my hopes up

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think the guy is special..I watched 3 games of his and no one could stop him when he went against Monte Kiffen's Vols and just tore them up it got my attention.

Yep, he made play after play in the best conference in the country versus defenses that knew what a weapon he was.

And as someone else said, I'd make him a slot WR. He can return and replace Sam Hurd on the gameday roster. I know he was primarily a RB in college, but Snead said he's a good WR -- smart and understands routes.

Remember that Wade was a big Darren Sproles fan, too.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

He should def be there in the 2nd after his mediocre combine. He could really make this oxplosive as a Percy harvin type player. IMO though Tate is a bigger version of mccluster, but I'm not spending a 1st on him.

 

[dcfanatic]

As an SEC guy, I've seen him quite a bit and he made alot of plays, but most of them were as a RB. He doesnt have much experience as a kick or punt return guy, and he really had little success doing it. He has 11 punt returns for under 60 yds for his career there. Thats not even 6.0 yds per punt return. He barely averaged 20yds per kick return. He has no tds or long returns to his credit. Doesnt mean he wont be able to do it in the pros, but I think alot of people had the idea he was a really explosive return guy who had made alot of big plays doing it, and that has not been the case.

His best position is probably RB, and we really dont have a spot for him there if they intend to keep all 3 RB's, which is what they say they're going to do. Not sure he has enough skill to be a fulltime WR.

Agree 100%.

That's why I use a third, but not the second rounder.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I'll take him in the 2nd.

No question.

Let Decamilles coach him up on ST. I'm sure there's a ton of untapped potential there.