Dexter McDonald’s life changed earlier this month, when Oakland snagged him in the final round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
> “When I finally got the call it was
> just a blessing,” McDonald said in a
> profile posted on the Raiders’
> website. “It was a relief. And I was
> happy to say I would have the
> opportunity to become an Oakland
> Raider and join the Raider nation.”
McDonald, a rookie cornerback out of Kansas, took another step in that direction Tuesday, when the seventh-round pick signed with Oakland. Referencing spotrac.com, [SilverAndBlackPride.com reported the contract][1] is for four years and $2.37 million.
The Oakland Raiders have signed seventh-round draft pick CB Dexter McDonald @Dex_Mac: http://t.co/mTskXxPCkU pic.twitter.com/xOJxLCqMuw
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 26, 2015
You can watch McDonald, a Kansas City, Missouri, native, arrive in California, pose for photos and wear his No. 21 Raiders uniform for the first time in [a Raiders.com video feature][2]. The 6-foot-1 corner describes himself as a team player with a lot of energy.
> “I’m one of those guys who is gonna be
> the same every day. I’m a physical
> corner — I’m gonna get on those wide
> receivers and jam them, disrupt the
> timing between the quarterback and the
> receiver to make it hard on them to
> pass,” McDonald said.
Back in late March, an amazing pro day propelled McDonald into the realm of draftees. The physical, 200-pound corner stood out with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, a vertical leap of 40 and 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches.
> “It allowed teams to see what I was
> capable of, athletic wise,” McDonald
> said the day he was drafted.
Dexter McDonald showing off his vert at #kufball pro day pic.twitter.com/QmDzcLwAa1
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 25, 2015
Now, McDonald can’t wait to prove he can compete at the next level. The 23-year old defensive back finds himself with a unique opportunity, too, playing for and alongside some legendary names. Rod Woodson coaches Oakland’s defensive backs and 18-year NFL veteran Charles Woodson plays safety for the Raiders.
> “It’s a blessing,” McDonald said, “and
> I have an opportunity to be like a
> sponge and soak up as much knowledge
> as I can from those guys. And I’m
> definitely gonna do that.”
[Levi Damien of SilverAndBlackPride.com speculated][3] McDonald has a chance to earn playing time as a rookie. Oakland’s starting corners figure to be D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie, but the nickel spot is “very much up for grabs,” and the Raiders proved last season with Carrie (also a seventh-round pick) that young guys can work their way onto the field and play crucial roles. Damien also projected McDonald’s size could make him an option at safety eventually.
McDonald and [his former KU teammate, Ben Heeney][4] (drafted by Oakland in the fifth round), will play in Kansas City, against the Chiefs, on the final day of the regular season, Jan. 3, 2016.
[1]: http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2015/5/26/8663165/oakland-raiders-sign-7th-round-pick-cb-dexter-mcdonald-to-4-year-deal
[2]: http://www.raiders.com/media-vault/videos/Rookie-Profile-Dexter-McDonald/34b226c2-18dd-4f0a-84de-932f5e9c078e
[3]: http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2015/5/7/8568985/oakland-raiders-2015-draft-pick-in-depth-look-at-dexter-mcdonald-what-he-brings
[4]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/smithology/2015/may/18/ben-heeneys-childhood-goals-included-pla/
