A Call To Arms: Dexter McCluster
Dexter McCluster
Unrestricted Free Agent
Wide Receiver / Punt Returner
Kansas City Chiefs
5' 9" Tall, 175 pounds
Selected in the 2nd round / 2010 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: Ran a 4.25 40 yard dash at the Mississippi Pro Day
Pro Bowls: (1) 2013
All Pro selections: (1) 2013 Second Team
Overview:
Blessed with world class speed but unfortunately a diminutive frame as well, McCluster isn't built for the all purpose duties that he served in college.
Since being drafted in 2010 by the Kansas City Chiefs, McCluster has demonstrated his electric speed on 79 Punt returns, though it was just in 2013 with a new coach in Kansas City that he has been turned loose, returning 58 punts for 686 yards and two scores, all league highs.
Since coming into the league he has been a consistent and durable receiver out of the slot, going for 1500 yards on 172 receptions and finding the end zone five times.
As mentioned, McCluster hasn't been used to his full potential until the 2013 season, when he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and accolades as a Second-team All Pro selection. At 25 years old, his best days are ahead of him.
Fit with Patriots:
A smaller, faster version of Julian Edelman that could take over Edelman's duties on the punt return unit if the Patriots find a way to keep their leading receiver and punt returner from a year ago. He also has expereince as a kick returner, bringing back 52 in his career for a 21 yard per return average.
McCluster only fits if the Patriots are unable to sign Julian Edelman and if they dump Amendola's contract - they could fit McCluster in under the cap if both were still around, but to sign him with both still on the team would be overkill - ala Leon Washington, who was a monumental disaster on a team that had those two plus Shane Vereen in the backfield.
The Patriots do have a like-style player on a futures contract in Reggie Dunn out of Utah.
As is evident with both players, they are lighting fast ankle-breakers who do thier best work from the slot and on punt returns. The question would be whether the Patriots want or need a player of McCluster's NFL experience or if they would like to develop Dunn.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of McCluster joining the Pats
Wide Receiver / Punt Returner
Kansas City Chiefs
5' 9" Tall, 175 pounds
Selected in the 2nd round / 2010 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: Ran a 4.25 40 yard dash at the Mississippi Pro Day
Pro Bowls: (1) 2013
All Pro selections: (1) 2013 Second Team
Overview:
Blessed with world class speed but unfortunately a diminutive frame as well, McCluster isn't built for the all purpose duties that he served in college.
Since being drafted in 2010 by the Kansas City Chiefs, McCluster has demonstrated his electric speed on 79 Punt returns, though it was just in 2013 with a new coach in Kansas City that he has been turned loose, returning 58 punts for 686 yards and two scores, all league highs.
Since coming into the league he has been a consistent and durable receiver out of the slot, going for 1500 yards on 172 receptions and finding the end zone five times.
As mentioned, McCluster hasn't been used to his full potential until the 2013 season, when he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and accolades as a Second-team All Pro selection. At 25 years old, his best days are ahead of him.
Fit with Patriots:
A smaller, faster version of Julian Edelman that could take over Edelman's duties on the punt return unit if the Patriots find a way to keep their leading receiver and punt returner from a year ago. He also has expereince as a kick returner, bringing back 52 in his career for a 21 yard per return average.
McCluster only fits if the Patriots are unable to sign Julian Edelman and if they dump Amendola's contract - they could fit McCluster in under the cap if both were still around, but to sign him with both still on the team would be overkill - ala Leon Washington, who was a monumental disaster on a team that had those two plus Shane Vereen in the backfield.
The Patriots do have a like-style player on a futures contract in Reggie Dunn out of Utah.
As is evident with both players, they are lighting fast ankle-breakers who do thier best work from the slot and on punt returns. The question would be whether the Patriots want or need a player of McCluster's NFL experience or if they would like to develop Dunn.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of McCluster joining the Pats
