1st 2010 NFL Mock Discussion Thread

[Miller]

Its all in how you use him.

Darren Sproles - 5-8 182
Dexter McCluster - 5-8 165
Napoleon Kaufmann - 5-9 185
Warrick Dunn - 5-9 187

The only difference I see in him and all these backs is he is about 15lbs lighter than they are. A true NFL weight program will put another 10-12 lbs on that frame and maintain 95% of his speed. Im not worried about the guy and I think its a great pick.

notice the BIG difference here.....everyone you named is a RB...not trying to be a WR, he'll just get lost outside. he can bring some unique things to a backfield though.

I do agree, it's ALL how you use him. Not sure he has a true position, but he is a true weapon, just have to find unique ways to use him.

 

[Miller]

You have got to be kidding me. A poor man's DeSean Jackson? Are we talking about the same DeSean that runs some of the worst routes I've ever seen? The same DeSean who only scores because he's faster than everybody (which, btw, McCluster is fast as well).

Watch film, MNJHNSN. You'll see that McCluster is the real deal. He runs crisp routes, has unbelievable vision, and can make nearly anybody miss. He does an amazing job of curling up before hits to not get hurt and his one of the most dangerous WRs in open space that I've ever seen.

Seriously, if you can find it, look up film of Dexter McCluster destroying Monte Kiffin's TN defense this year. He made them look childish.

To say he runs crisp routes is a major overstatement IMO....he is still extremely raw and developing as a WR. Kid has some nifty speed and agilty, but far from as polished as you want him to sound.

 

[Miller]

Post us some film!

No routes here....but some highlights.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-chWh64Dc"]YouTube- Dexter Mccluster short career Highlight Vid[/ame]

He maybe a tremendous wildcat option:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw7hsXv9MFU"]YouTube- Dexter McCluster 27 Yard TD Pass To Shay Hodge against LSU![/ame]

Good breakdown of his Tennessee game
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp3RL2s5BV0"]YouTube- Dexter McCluster vs. Tennessee[/ame]

 

[DearbornDolfan]

I don't agree that this WR class is anything but good. Yeah, Dez Bryant is the only guaranteed elite guy, but there's only usually one such guy in any draft class. But, on top of Dez Bryant, I'm seeing two or three guys that could end up with huge production in the pros.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Here's the thing Miller, I haven't seen Dexter run anything over 15 yards as far as routes. Most of them are 5 and ins, 10 and ins, curls... etc. When he runs those, he's one of the best route runners in all of college football.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Good film, Miller. His performance against TN was incredible. I was watching him closely all year but as I told all of my friends, I'm not sold until I see him play Monte. After that game though, I've wanted nothing more than to see him in a Buc's uniform.

I can't seem to find him running many routes but I'll keep searching. There's got to be some. I've been watching him for years now, ever since I played with him. I remember watching game film on him in high school, and have been glued to his career ever since.

There is one major issue with McCluster, IMO. You can use him as a RB/WR/KR, whatever you want, but you cannot count on him a blocker. His size doesn't allow for it. Other than that, I think he's a freaking monster on the field and will continue to be.

 

[Miller]

Here's the thing Miller, I haven't seen Dexter run anything over 15 yards as far as routes. Most of them are 5 and ins, 10 and ins, curls... etc. When he runs those, he's one of the best route runners in all of college football.

but that does not make him a good route runner....that makes him a guy who can be dangerous when you get him the ball in space IMO. And I don't even see him running much of what you described. What he has shown he can do consistently is run slant and flare out of the backfield. If you are breaking him down from a RB standpoint, his hands and routes are fantastic. However, when you project him to a next level WR, and throw in running routes from the outside which includes getting off the line against a jam from a 200 lb corner when he is 165, and running crisp NFL routes, I don't see how anyone can call this one of his strengths at this point in his career. For me, it if one of the weaknesses he will have to improve on if he is going to make a successful jump to a true WR at the next level.

 

[GlennsPatriots]

2.12 - New England Patriots - Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

In the real world, I wouldn't expect Warren to be available with this pick.. but since he's there, I'll take him to help my Patriots with thier makeshift D Backfield that they tried to put together last season.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

but that does not make him a good route runner....that makes him a guy who can be dangerous when you get him the ball in space IMO. And I don't even see him running much of what you described. What he has shown he can do consistently is run slant and flare out of the backfield. If you are breaking him down from a RB standpoint, his hands and routes are fantastic. However, when you project him to a next level WR, and throw in running routes from the outside which includes getting off the line against a jam from a 200 lb corner when he is 165, and running crisp NFL routes, I don't see how anyone can call this one of his strengths at this point in his career. For me, it if one of the weaknesses he will have to improve on if he is going to make a successful jump to a true WR at the next level.

What I saw Dexter McCluster do, EVERYTIME he ran a route, was force separation. Especially on skinny posts. Another one of his specialties is a double move, he's so quick and has such agility that he makes people fall over when he changes direction. The reason you can't find much film on it right now is because this year they started running him from the back field. The last couple of years he's been far more strictly a WR and has done exceptionally well.

You can't think of Dexter as a far wide out, although he's been out there and again, on double moves is terribly dangerous. Most of his routes come from the slot, a lot like Wes Welker and like Percy Harvin when he was at FL. Dexter's speed and toughness has allowed him ridiculous separation from OLBs and S brought up to cover that "extra" man. The NFL is all about matchups and a team that has him will have to find ways of moving him around to force a bad one for the defense.

My point is that Dexter McCluster runs better routes than DeSean Jackson ever has at the NFL level. And the scouting reports from the Senior Bowl that I've been reading all suggest that McCluster has been a dangerous WR, catching everything thrown his way, finding ways to forcing separation, and having the balls to make plays well over the middle.

 

[efactor]

2.12 - New England Patriots - Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

In the real world, I wouldn't expect Warren to be available with this pick.. but since he's there, I'll take him to help my Patriots with thier makeshift D Backfield that they tryed to put together last season.

I don't think so either, but like Haden falling to 13, we can only hope........

Good pick though.............

 

[The Ram]

Denver MUST add youth and toughness to their o-line. Casey Weigmann was in Methuselah's draft class so I would start there if I were Doogie....which means Doogie will draft a WR. Pouncey plays to the whistle and is a character guy according to his head coach. He could step in this year and start at left or right guard while learning center.

 

[GlennsPatriots]

2.15 - New England Patriots - Damien Williams, WR, USC
Patriots need to find a WR3. Galloway was useless and no one else could step up last season. Williams will be a good route runner, coming from a pro-style offense in college, and quickly become Bradys 3rd option after Moss and Welker(Edleman).
The Patriots offense will soon rise to the elite level it was at in 2007 ... and Remote Controller and others can resume complaining about how they "run up the score".

 

[WesDawg]

Being in SEC country again and having Houston Nutt shoved down my throat still, even though he hasn't been here for 2 years, I've seen plenty of Ole Miss and McCluster. In fact Sarge and I had ample discussions last year about Snead's 2010 draft stock, I believe. Plus another DE who shall remain nameless.
My take on this is pretty straightforward. Could this guy be Darren Sproles? Sure. Could he be DeSean Jackson? Maybe. They both have very similar frames as him and they're highly successful right now. I have 2 major beefs with this pick, and neither one is really inflammatory towards the player himself.
1. I'm HUGE on value vs. draft position. Every year during our mock or the actual draft, I seem to refer to this at some point. There are always a handful of players each year that really stick out to me.. not because they're slam-dunk 1st rounders, but because I just have a gut feeling that they will be forecasted as middle-rounders and pay massive dividends. The nameless USF speed rusher is one of those guys this year. With all that said, I think McCluster will eventually be a versatile player with moments of explosiveness, but his value (at this point) is not early 2nd round.
2. This beef is much less longwinded. (LOL) Dexter is a luxury pick for a team such as TB that isn't currently in an organizational position to be making luxury picks. At least not with an extremely vital 2nd rounder. Those lines need serious attention.

Had this been the 3rd round pick, I would be heaping praise from on high. I think that's more indicative of where his value lies.

 

[Sgt John]

I took the guy I personally liked out of what was left, Mardy Gilyard for Carolina.

Carolina has jack crap at WR, and not having that 1st round pick really hurts. I passed on other guys for injury or other concerns.

Gilyard had a solid Senior Bowl week and I feel he will combine himself into the lower 2nd. He projected prior to the bowl as a 3rd rounder. I like the versatility he brings to Carolina as a WR and return man, and I think he can learn alot from Steve Smith.

 

[WesDawg]

LOVE Gilyard. Go watch the film from the Pitt-Cincy game.. and then puke for an hour like I did...

 

[efactor]

I can only hope that in the real draft, Jahvid Best is still on the board for SF in the second round.

This guy is electric and gives them a true big play RB, who can be a third down back (Coffee is not fit for that role) as well as someone who can return kicks. In a couple years, he replaces Gore as the feature back. A bit light now, but has the body type to be able to add 10-15 pounds.

 

[WesDawg]

I like that you bypassed skill position guys for SF and addressed real needs with 2 great picks, then followed up with a steal in the 2nd. You're nailing it thus far, ef!!

 

[efactor]

I like that you bypassed skill position guys for SF and addressed real needs with 2 great picks, then followed up with a steal in the 2nd. You're nailing it thus far, ef!!

Thanks. Can only hope that it falls like this in real life and if it does, that the SF front office takes advantage of it.

It would be exciting to have Gore, Best, Crabtree and Davis in an offense with somebody to actually block for them, and an above average QB. Hope Smith can be that guy...........

 

[MNJHNSN]

I chose SAPP because he is an absolute beast and will bolster a weak LB core in Kansas City. I would use him in the OLB position primarily as the Chiefs are decent at DE, although he could augment the D-Line at times. Just a nose over the nameless wonder.

 

[MNJHNSN]

I love the Damien Williams pick for the Pats, if he would fall to Rd 2, WOW!!!!!!