Each day from now until March 7, the day before teams can talk to agents for free agents, Geoff Mosher and Reuben Frank will profile some of the NFL’s top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Eagles.
Dexter McCluster, kick returner/running back/wide receiver
Age: 24
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Last team: Kansas City Chiefs
Scouting report
McCluster entered the league with so much promise, especially after clocking a 4.58 in his 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2010. He was viewed as the ultimate triple threat who could line up at receiver or running back and also return punts and kicks. Kansas City drafted him in the second round with the 36th overall pick, but McCluster never emerged into a dynamic playmaker. He hasn’t had a 100-yard game rushing or receiving in his four seasons and has just nine career touchdowns, three on special teams. His career rushing average is 4.4 yards per carry and his career receiving average is 8.7 yards per reception. His longest career reception is 49 and his longest run is 32 yards. He made the Pro Bowl this past season as a return specialist after leading the NFL in returns (58), yards (686) and TDs (two).
Geoff’s projection
If you’re tired of watching the Eagles slog through returners and only occasionally getting DeSean Jackson back on punts, you’re probably rooting for the team to sign this guy. He’d make an immediate impact, like he did last season for Andy Reid as a primary punt returner for the first time in his career, but will he try to parlay his one good year into more money than he’s worth? I suppose Chip Kelly has the ingenuity to capitalize on McCluster’s skill set, but the Eagles have enough offensive weapons. They can probably find a good returner in the draft. I’d pass on McCluster.
Reuben’s projection
I like McCluster more than Mosh does. His 11.5 punt return average since 2011 is seventh-best in the NFL during that span, and his 11.8 average last year was best in the NFL among returners with at least 50 chances. The Eagles need that kind of spark in the punt return game. Field position killed the Eagles this past year, and McCluster, even if he’s only a modest weapon on offense (and he did catch 53 passes last year), can change that. Heck, other than the occasional DeSean Jackson return, the Eagles haven’t had a quality punt returner since Brian Westbrook. Since then, it’s been slop. Dexter Wynn, Reno Mahe, Jorrick Calvin, Chad Hall, Damaris Johnson. At the very least, I’d see what kind of money McCluster is looking for. He should come fairly cheap, and if he does, I’d bring him in. He has to be better than the slop the Eagles have had returning punts the last few years.