The second round of the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft winds down. We're having each SB Nation blogger make selections for their respective teams. John B, lead blogger at SB Nation's New York Jets blog, Gang Green Nation, checks in to make the No. 61 overall selection in this year's mock. Take it away!
2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Pick 61
With the No. 61 overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the New York Jets have selected Dexter McCluster, WR/RB, Mississippi
John says: While the Santonio Holmes trade means he will not play the slot, I still see McCluster as a distinct possibility for the Jets in the second round. It has not generated national headlines, but those who have followed the Jets closely know something is rotten in the state of Denmark pertaining to Leon Washington. He hasn't signed his restricted free agent tender yet. He is rehabbing away from team facilities. Rex Ryan has stated in public he is not comfortable giving Washington an expanded role coming off his injury, and the Jets hate dealing with his agent. It also seems like if the Jets really wanted to get Washington signed long term, they would have done so a year ago before his injury. One thing fans know about Mike Tannenbaum is when he wants somebody, he moves assertively. There was no such movement with Washington even before his catastrophic injury.
What McCluster would provide is insurance in case Washington has not fully recovered or the contract standoff leads to his departure. McCluster is a similar kind of runner, small, speedy, and explosive in space.
He also is a good fit for the offense. Brian Schottenheimer's biggest fans call him creative. His biggest detractors call him gimmicky. Everybody would agree he would love a versatile player like McCluster who has experience lining up all over the field, including playing Wildcat quarterback. Based on Schottenheimer's past, the passing game will be much more prevalent in New York's offense this year. Schottenheimer's hands were tied with a rookie quarterback in 2009. After an excellent postseason, the Jets will expect much more out of Mark Sanchez. McCluster has wide receiver skills and can split wide in Schottenheimer's spread formations.
What if Washington returns fully healthy? The Jets signed a similar player off the practice squad named Danny Woodhead to play a receiver-back hybrid position. Woodhead has speed but isn't as good of a receiver as McCluster or have his ability to make people miss.
The biggest knock on McCluster is his size, but small and speedy playmakers are making an impact all over the league. The Jets did their best to trade back into the first round last year to land Percy Harvin. If you watched Ole Miss play last season, you probably came away impressed by what a playmaker McCluster is. He may not jump out on you on the street, but put him in pads, and he's one heck of a football player. You may argue it’s a luxury pick, but the Jets don’t have any glaring holes like at wide receiver and quarterback last year or cornerback two years ago. There are a few spots where an upgrade would be nice, but no real emergency area. The Jets are building a dynamic offense of playmakers to go with the top ranked defense in the NFL. McCluster would bring an extra dimension to the table, and that’s why he’s my guess where the Jets go with this pick.
Mocking Dan reacts: The idea behind this pick is good, but I don't like it. The Jets need to get a defensive end, and there is one potentially really good one out there. That would be Alex Carrington from Arkansas State. He's big and athletic with a solid pass rush. That makes him a perfect candidate for Rex Ryan who loves pass rushers.
Mocking the Draft’s Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Rob Gronkowski/TE/Arizona, 2 - Brandon Spikes/LB/Florida, 3 - Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida, 4 - Toby Gerhart/RB/Stanford, 5 - Brandon LaFell/WR/LSU
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of the Jets’ selection of McCluster? Please be sure to check out Gang Green Nation for all of your Jets needs.
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