As we delve further into the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason, our attention has begun to shift towards the draft. Like we’ve done all throughout the offseason, these reports will cover the prospects of the 2015 NFL Draft, placing an emphasis on those who could help the Steelers the most.
Today we look at a pre-draft visitor that the Steelers brought in, cornerback Dexter McDonald.
#12 – Dexter McDonald/ CB Kansas: 6’1, 200 lbs
The Good
-Excellent size, lengthy kid for position
-Great long speed, can keep up with any receiver ( 4.42 40-yd dash time)
-Good quickness and short speed
-Can deliver hard hits
-Productive/experienced special teams player
-Ideal base – great knee bend, stays balanced
-Good tackler when aggressive
-Fluid hips, quick turn and run
-Aggressive hands, phenomenal at defending passes (had 13 this past season)
The Bad
-Not as physical as you’d like – would like to see more urgency to the football
-Forgets to turn and look for the ball, can cause excessive penalties at the next level
-Has trouble shedding blocks, needs to be more aggressive in run support
-Some missed tackles
-Has trouble with curl and comeback routes
-Needs to stay low to help change direction faster
Other
–2011 Started at Kansas, saw limited playing time and left for Butler Community College in 2012 where he played one season there to get his grades up. Played in five games and recorded five tackles, one interception, and one sack. Transferred back in 2013
-Fifth in the league in pass breakups with 13
-Started 24 career games and played in a total of 36
-23 career passes defended
-81 total tackles and 4 interceptions
-4.42 40-yd dash / 40.5 ft. vertical jump
-Liberal Arts and Sciences major
-No combine invitation
Tape Breakdown
McDonald never really wow’d me. His positives were very apparent, but so were his negatives. His long and short speed really jumped out at me. Out of the three games I watched, he was only burned once. If he was beat off of the line you could see the recovery speed in action and it was excellent. McDonald very often puts himself in great position to make a play on the ball, but fails to turn his head around looking for the ball. If he would turn his head, he be much more dynamic and also not get called for pass interference. One huge flaw of his is that he is not aggressive in the run game. He kind of sits back and plays the safety net role instead of shedding blocks and pursuing the ball carriers. Plays his best in press coverage.
In press coverage here. Fluid hips and uses his speed to blanket the receiver. Has some trouble high pointing the football, but still a play well done.
There may not be many negatives on McDonald, but the ones outlined are huge and carry great concern. If he was more aggressive and willing to be physical in the run game, he could be considered as early as the 5th. Teams look at a 6’1” 200lbs corner and expect a nasty, physical guy who can be a force in the run game and McDonald simply is not.
The Steelers will likely draft a cornerback rather early, so McDonald would be competing with B.W. Webb and Kevin Fogg for the 5th cornerback position and roster spot. If McDonald can at least be on the practice squad, he could have time to grow and learn.
The Steelers had McDonald in for a pre-draft visit, so we will see on draft day if they liked what they saw. If he goes undrafted, look for him to be a priority signing following the end of the draft.
Projection: 7th – Priority Free Agent
Grade: Late 6th – 7th
Games Watched: 2014 at Oklahoma, 2014 vs. TCU, 2014 at West Virginia
Previous Scouting Reports
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