Dexter McCluster Draft Profile
Holy moley, some of our best players are leaving for the professional ranks! Whether it be money, fame, or an opportunity to live in Oakland, a few of the most memorable Ole Miss Rebel footballers are making their way out of Oxford to play ball on the next level. What would their potential money-stuffed suitors like to know about each and every one of them? We at the Cup know!
Dexter McCluster - Wide Receiver
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 175
40: 4.43 at Ole Miss Pro Day
Rebel Career Stats:
Second all-time in career all purpose yards (4,089)
Seventh all-time in career rushing yards (1,955)
1,703 career receiving yards
Only player in SEC history with over 1,000 (1,169) and 500 receiving yards (520) in a single season
All-SEC honors in 2008 and 2009
Pros
Incredibly quick; Fantastic vision; has a knack for producing the big play when it's needed
Cons
Slightly undersized; Fast, but not a burner; Durability issues as a freshman and sophomore
The Skinny
Dexter McCluster is lightning in a bottle. He helped to save a season for the Rebels that was doomed offensively. While many fans were horrified that he might get hit too hard on a play and break something, he proved those fans wrong during his final two seasons in Oxford. McCluster chruned out several 50+ yard runs as a senior after being given duties as a full-time halfback. While he's a good receiver, with McCluster it's all about making plays when the ball is in his hands. The easiest way to get him the ball is to hand it to him. I think his future is at halfback.
Who Should Take Him, and When?
I think that wherever Dex ends up needs to be a place that's willing to use him in a variety of ways. If he suffers the same fate as Percy Harvin did as a rookie in Minnesota, I think the team that has taken him will have sold him short. You can't take a player like McCluster or Harvin and line them up solely as a slot receiver. Because of this, I would guess a team with a coach who has shown he's willing to think outside the box would be a good place for Dexter. Obviously, the Saints would be a nice landing spot, but with Reggie Bush already in the fold, it's highly unlikely Dex ends up there. A team who has shown a willingness to throw to their halfbacks and is in desparate need of a playmaker is the Detroit Lions. While I think their second round pick is too high to spend on McCluster due to perceived value, I could see them trading up into the late second to nab him. Of note, Dex has worked out for the Lions.
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I imagine he'd be happy in the Motor City...
what with being a huge Barry Sanders fan and all.
Detroit Lions
I want Dex to make that paper, but I surely hope he doesn’t end up at Detroit. Or Oakland.
by LucaBrasiSleepsWithTheFishes on Apr 15, 2010 12:15 PM EDT reply actions
I could see Dex
falling to the third or fourth round due to injury resistance and size concerns. The biggest, strongest backs in the league last 5 or 6 years at the most with only 3 of those being good to great seasons.
He has great playmaking ability, but if he goes second round, the team would be remiss to put him at HB and give him too many carries early on.
If I predict it, there's an 50 percent chance it happens.
by One Man To Beat on Apr 15, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions
Well, whatever happens with Dex, I'm going to make a prediction right now.
By 2011, there will be about 30 GM’s around the NFL kicking themselves for not taking Dexter, 170 lbs. or not.
by bovice on Apr 15, 2010 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

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