A receiver I'd enjoy seeing in Horns ..

*MauiRam* · #1 (**permalink**) -07-04-2008

Dexter Jackson: WR/RS (5'9-1/4", 182 lbs 4.38 forty) Appalachian State

Postives: Can flat out fly and has shown playmaking ability when he touches the ball. Has the quickness to escape the jam, uses his hands well at the line and works to uncover. Shows great agility and toughness to take a hit. Very agile after the catch. Has stepped up big vs big-time competition (see Michigan). Good character. Vocal leader. Works hard. Shows exciting return potential -- can cut on a dime and leave defenders in their tracks ..

Negatives: Small and has small hands. Too often catches the ball into his body, and does not always catch it cleanly. Not a great blocker.

Summary: Had a very strong postseason, performing well in the East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl before clocking faster than any other receiver at the Combine. Did not get a lot of opportunities in a spread-option offense, but is clearly very physically gifted and has shown he can compete with the big boys. Could make an immediate impact as a punt returner.

Dexter projects to be a late 2nd or early 3rd round selection at this point. I know he's small, but you've got to love that speed and agility along with the fact he's already proven he can play against top competition. Good character and leadership qualities are icing on the cake .. Ok everyone, feel free to rain on my parade ..

*badmoforamfan* · #2 (**permalink**) -07-04-2008

Shoot, I was bigger than him at 13yrs. old.

Seriously, I'm all for any WR that can bring the long ball back to St. Louis.

*39thebeast* · #3 (**permalink**) -07-04-2008

I see him more as a late third mid-early 4th. He is not my favorite small school wideout Jerome Simpson is. Great route runner great speed and leaping ability and comparable to T.J. Housmenzedah or however you spell it

*SWFCRAM* · #4 (**permalink**) -07-04-2008

I think he'd be a good addition. I chose him in my "pick 10".

*TekeRam* · #5 (**permalink**) -08-04-2008

At first, I was all for this guy, but looking more in depth, I'm not too sure.

First, NFLDraftCountdown has him as the 17th WR on their board and as a mid round prospect. That said, our third rounder is too high for him in my mind, I would go after him in the 4th, however, as 39 said.

Second, looking at his stats, they're unimpressive to say the least. Admittedly, he was in a spread offense, but still, as a junior he has NO TD's.

Third, the negatives above aren't that bad, countdown's negatives go a bit further, mentioning that he's not a great route runner(needed in Saunder's O) and that he probably won't amount to more than a 3rd or 4th option and mainly be a return specialist.

If we're just trying to get younger and we have no faith in the young guys already on the roster, great. If we're trying to replace Bruce and Holt, no. Of course, I think that unless we go after a WR in the second, we won't be even close to replacing them this year. Next year, hopefully we can spend our top picks on a SS, and maybe on a true #1 WR, in addition to more DE, OT and LB help.

**HUbison** · #6 (**permalink**) -08-04-2008

He might be somewhere between Hakim and Hall. Probably a good return man who will get vertical in a 3 or 4 wide offense.

As Teke said.....not the answer to Bruce and Holt, but maybe the replacement for Hall.

*MauiRam* · #7 (**permalink**) -08-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39thebeast

I see him more as a late third mid-early 4th. He is not my favorite small school wideout Jerome Simpson is. Great route runner great speed and leaping ability and comparable to T.J. Housmenzedah or however you spell it

Positives: (6' 1 & 3/4" 199 lbs) Has huge hands, incredibly long arms and makes difficult one-handed grabs look like clockwork. He can really leap and has made some amazing acrobatic catches, is very competitive, and plays with intensity and a lot of confidence. Great work ethic. He has excellent concentration and ball skills and with his size and long arms, he has proved he can take the ball out of the air high above defenders. Played big against better competition.

Negatives: Very slender, lacks muscle mass and needs to get stronger. Has faced marginal competition. Runs lazy routes and rounds off too many breaks. Is not a burner. Appears disinterested in blocking.

Summary: May have made a mint at the East-West Shrine game, when he put his exceptional skills on display and caught the attention of evaluators. Made some uncharacteristic easy drops at the Combine, but was a clutch producer on the field and should be able to contribute readily in a complementary possession type role.

This guy sounds like he could contribute as a possession receiver and should be able to clean up his route running with good coaching. He is slated to go in the upper 4th round. Could be a solid pickup. The reason I like Dexter Jackson is because of his incredible speed. We could play him in the slot and with his speed teams would have to respect him. We haven't had anyone since Az Hakim that kept opposing defenses honest, and Dexter is faster than Hakim was .. Since we already have possession types with Bennett and Holt, I am hoping we draft a burner who can get off the line and isn't afraid of contact. Anybody else have a receiver they would like to see picked on day 2?