Dexter McCluster - Pro Football Rumors

Titans To Sign Dexter McCluster

March 11th, 2014 at 3:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Dexter McCluster has reached agreement on a three-year pact with the Titans, league sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The former Chief will earn a maximum of $12MM, including $4.5MM in guaranteed money, on the deal, according to Schefter (via Twitter).

McCluster had interest from four or five suitors leading up to the official start of free agency. The 49ers were among the clubs believed to have interest but he’ll instead be joining Tennessee for 2014.

WR Rumors: Britt, Hawkins, Edelman, Jones

March 10th, 2014 at 10:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With about 17 hours left to go until the official start of free agency, here’s a look at some of the rumors regarding receivers:

The Redskins have interest in both Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Britt is an unrestricted free agent who has had his share of struggles both on and off the field, but he can still be a playmaker. Hawkins is a restricted free agent who was tendered at the original-pick level; because he was an undrafted free agent, the Redskins would not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him. Hawkins played under Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the past three seasons with the Bengals.
The Patriots are heavily engaged in contract talks with Julian Edelman, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Edelman was on the free agent market for over a month last offseason before re-upping with the Pats, but that would assuredly not happen were he to reach free agency tomorrow.
James Jones is receiving interest from both the Lions and the Jets, but a return to the Packers is not out of the question, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
The 49ers could be interested in Dexter McCluster, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).

AFC Rumors: McCluster, Titans, Steelers, Jets

March 10th, 2014 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

A league source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star that wide receiver and return man Dexter McCluster won’t be returning to the Chiefs. McCluster has four or five suitors and will likely sign Tuesday night, says Paylor, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com also hears that the free-agent-to-be will be “snapped up quickly.” Here’s more from around the AFC:

In addition to Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, other players on the Titans‘ radar include Ravens inside linebacker Jameel McClain and Broncos defensive end/outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
Red Bryant says he received interest from the Packers, Chiefs, and Redskins signing with the Jaguars, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Bryant signed a four-year deal with Jacksonville that could pay him up to $17MM but guarantees him just $5.25MM.
The Steelers are working to see if Ike Taylor will take a pay cut, tweets La Canfora. If Taylor is unwilling to do so, I imagine Pittsburgh will release him soon.
Chiefs inside linebacker Akeem Jordan is drawing interest from six teams and has a visit set up with one AFC club for Thursday, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (at the National Football Post).
The Jets are high on Matt Schaub, and figure to target him in free agency if he’s released by the Texans, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

March 9th, 2014 at 9:15pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the NFC East…

It appears that the Cowboys are ready to move on from Miles Austin, but there’s a chance DeMarcus Ware could stick around, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Earlier this week, we learned that the Cowboys wanted Ware to take a pay cut.
The Eagles could be interested in a “game-breaking return specialist” and there should be plenty on the market, says Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. He mentions Dexter McCluster, Devin Hester and Ted Ginn Jr. as potential fits, with McCluster being the most intriguing.
In the same article, Sheridan discusses his belief that the Eagles won’t move DeSean Jackson this offseason. He adds that he thinks the team will draft one or two receivers and because of that, there is no guarantee that Jackson is with the team beyond 2014.
The Eagles won’t overspend on an edge rusher but will certainly look to upgrade at the position, says Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane mentions Mike Neal and O’Brien Schofield as potential targets.
Following a disappointed season, the Giants don’t seem unwilling to let all 26 of their free agents go, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Vacchiano points out that the team would love to keep linebacker Jon Beason, though.
The Giants reported interest in Alterraun Verner and other top cornerbacks is for real, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan also refers to the team’s previous interest in Sam Shields.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

March 3rd, 2014 at 7:29pm CST by Ben Levine

D’Qwell Jackson was very impressed after meeting with the Broncos, but isn’t ready to make a decision, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. In another tweet, Klis mentions that Jackson is heading to Miami to meet with the Dolphins before also meeting with an unknown team. Jackson should make a decision by the end of the week, Klis says in a final tweet.

A couple of notes from around the AFC West…

Eric Decker is not an elite player and the Broncos likely won’t pay him like one, says Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com. According to Chadiha, Decker’s disappearance in the Super Bowl confirmed that Decker is a number two receiver, not a number one. The writer refers to a number of receivers who cashed in and then struggled with new teams, like Mike Wallace last season.
Chad Rinehart and Richard Marshall should receive attention from the Chargers, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Neither player would break the bank and they’d also fill holes in the team’s lineup, Williams says.
The Chiefs signed receiver Weston Dressler about a month ago, and Adam Teicher of ESPN.com warns to not overlook the acquisition. Teicher says that Dressler is insurance in case the team cannot retain free agent Dexter McCluster, but he also quotes coach Andy Reid saying “If you told me I could have two Dexter McClusters, that would be a good thing. I wouldn’t mind that at all.’’

Eagles WR Notes: Maclin, Cooper, McCluster

February 16th, 2014 at 2:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Eagles face a difficult decision this offseason when it comes to their wide receiver group, as both Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper enter free agency. Each player offers promise, but each also carries considerable risk, as the team at Pro Football Focus notes in their latest “Free Agent Duel” piece.

Maclin, who missed the 2013 season with a torn ACL, has the higher pedigree as a former first-round pick, and his speed would fit nicely in Chip Kelly’s offense, which features many screens and quick out patterns. However, Maclin has always been higher on promise than productivity, as he has never surpassed 1,000 yards receiving, and graded out poorly in 2012 by PFF’s metrics. Cooper, whose roster spot was in peril due to offseason drama until Maclin’s injury, had a breakout season as the number two option for the Eagles in 2013. He was even better at catching deep passes than fellow receiver DeSean Jackson, and he built rapport with quarterback Nick Foles. Cooper has only produced at this level for one season, however, while Maclin has offered roughly the same results for a few more years.

Their price tags figure to be roughly similar, as Maclin will be forced to take a discount due to his recent injury, and Cooper may be seen as having only succeeded in a stats-friendly system. Maclin has shown a willingness to return to the Eagles, so perhaps that will swing the pendulum in his favor. Ultimately, it seems unlikely the Eagles will be able to retain both, as they have other needs, specifically on defense, that need to be met.

A few other Eagles morsels:

Phil Sheridan chimes on the receiver situation as well, noting that he believes Cooper is the most likely to remain with the Eagles. Cooper might find that his league-wide value is not as high as thinks, and staying in Philadelphia will be the most logical decision.
Maclin, meanwhile, could end up with the Chiefs or the Jets, where he would have familiarity with Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinwheg, respectively.
Sheridan thinks that receiver Dexter McCluster could be an interesting add for the Eagles, as he could offer some versatility on offense, as well as help on special teams.
Finally, Sheridan speculates that the top four options on the 2014 Eagles receiver depth chart will be Jackson, Cooper, a first-round pick, and Arrelious Benn.

Chiefs Sign Weston Dressler

February 6th, 2014 at 10:47am CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 10:47am: Dressler’s deal with the Chiefs is for three years, at the minimum salary, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

TUESDAY, 3:29pm: The Chiefs have officially signed Dressler to a reserve/futures contract, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).

FRIDAY, 1:30pm: After winning a Grey Cup in 2013 with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, receiver Weston Dressler appears poised to sign with the Chiefs, according to Sportsnet’s Arash Madani (via Twitter). While the deal has yet to be made official, Dave Naylor of TSN Radio 1050 confirms that Dressler has reached an agreement with Kansas City.

Dressler, 28, was scheduled to become a free agent this offseason and had been exploring his NFL options. The two-time CFL All-Star has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark north of the border in each of the last four years, averaging 81 catches per season over that four-year span.

As Adam Teicher of ESPN.com notes, the addition of Dressler may not bode well for Dexter McCluster‘s future in Kansas City, since the two players fill similar roles — like McCluster, Dressler is an undersized receiver who returns kicks. Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that the signing isn’t necessarily linked to McCluster’s free agency, adding that the Chiefs would like to bring him back, though cap space may be tight.