Dexter McCleon: Pick #40 in the 1997 NFL Draft

Dexter McCleon is a former defensive back out of Clemson, selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 40th overall pick (round 2) in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played 148 regular-season games from 1997 to 2006. From 1999 on, he played for the St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.

Draft Details

Year

1997

Round

Round 2

Pick

40th overall

Team

Los Angeles Rams

Position

DB

College

Clemson

Dexter McCleon Career Stats

Primary starter for 4 seasons.
Ranks 5th in the 1997 draft class in interceptions (31).

Career Totals

Games	Solo Tkl	Sacks	Def INT
148	336	4.5	31

Defense

Season	Team	G	Solo	Ast	TFL	Sacks	QB Hits	INT	PD	FF
1999	STL	15	35	4	0	1.5	1	4	16	1
2000	STL	16	45	5	3	2	2	8	19	0
2001	STL	16	49	6	0	0	0	4	18	1
2002	STL	12	19	4	0	0	0	1	2	1
2003	KC	16	50	5	0	0	0	6	15	0
2004	KC	11	27	6	0	0	0	2	9	0
2005	KC	7	18	1	0	0	0	2	7	0
2006	HOU	10	21	7	0	0	0	1	1	1
Since 1999		103	264	38	3	3.5	3	28	87	4

G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.

Season-by-season detail is available from 1999 on; career totals above cover the full career.

Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026

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1	5	DET	Bryant Westbrook	DB	Texas
1	6	SEA	Walter Jones	OT	Florida State, Holmes County JC
1	7	NYG	Ike Hilliard	WR	Florida
1	8	NYJ	James Farrior	ILB	Virginia
1	9	ARI	Tom Knight	DB	Iowa
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