Ray-Ray McCloud

San Francisco 49ers
Wide Receiver #21
San Francisco 49ers
Wide Receiver #21

Ray-Ray McCloud News

Fills versatile role with new club

McCloud finished the 2022 regular season with 321 all-purpose yards, two total touchdowns and 955 combined return yards in 17 games with the 49ers.

Analysis: McCloud was effective as a return specialist with his new club in 2022, but he also became a deep-threat gadget player for head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 26-year-old's reception average of 17.4 yards was the best of his career by far, and he also recorded his first rushing touchdown despite playing a limited role on offense. McCloud's success in his first season of his two-year contract with San Francisco should lead to a similar role in 2023.

Jan 11, 2023 2:25 PM EST


Converts long catch in win

McCloud had one reception (two targets) for 41 yards in Sunday's 37-34 overtime win over the Raiders.

Analysis: McCloud produced a big-splash play for the second consecutive week, although this one fell short of going for a touchdown. The return specialist is proving that he can be a home-run threat on offense, but his role is too inconsistent to be relied upon in fantasy. McCloud has recorded more than one reception just once this season (Week 7), so we can expect more of the same against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Jan 2, 2023 4:23 PM EST



Rips off huge TD run

McCloud broke off a 71-yard touchdown run and did not catch his lone target in Saturday's 37-20 win over Washington.

Analysis: McCloud did his best Deebo Samuel (knee/ankle) impression when he took a wide zone handoff for a 71-yard touchdown. It was the return specialist's fourth rushing attempt this season, with the previous three tallying just seven yards back in Week 14. McCloud's usage as a receiver hasn't increased in the two games sans Deebo, so this unique touchdown run shouldn't have fantasy managers rushing to the waiver wire ahead of San Francisco's Week 17 matchup against Las Vegas.

Dec 25, 2022 5:07 PM EST


Garners three targets in win

McCloud caught one of three targets for 16 yards in Thursday's 21-13 win over Seattle.

Analysis: McCloud was elevated to third on the receiver depth chart with Deebo Samuel (ankle) sidelined, but his offensive usage did not expand much with the elevated role. The return specialist combined for 84 return yards for fantasy league's that factor in that statistic. Samuel is likely to miss Week 16's contest against Washington, giving McCloud another shot to generate value as a cheap DFS flier against the Commanders next Saturday.

Dec 16, 2022 12:56 PM EST


Sees boost in snap count

McCloud logged 28 snaps on offense (44 percent) and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 35-7 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: McCloud saw an uptick in offensive snaps in the second half of Sunday's blowout win after Deebo Samuel (ankle) was carted off the field. The latter suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss time. Jauan Jennings would figure to step into Deebo's starting wideout role, with McCloud seeing in an increase in playing time in addition to his usual work as the team's primary return specialist. Neither backup figures to see huge increases in targets, but some deep-league value could be had for as long as Samuel is sidelined, starting with Thursday's tilt against Seattle.

Dec 12, 2022 1:10 PM EST



Records 12-yard catch

McCloud played six of the 49ers' 70 snaps on offense and recorded a 12-yard reception in Sunday's 13-0 win over the Saints.

Analysis: After failing to corral his lone target in the 49ers' Week 11 win over the Cardinals, McCloud got back on the stat sheet Sunday with his 11th catch of the season. The former Clemson standout is clearly behind Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings on the depth chart at receiver and is unlikely to see his role expand unless one of those three players misses time.

Nov 30, 2022 8:42 AM EST


No catches in MNF win

McCloud failed to catch his lone target in Monday's 38-10 win over the Cardinals.

Analysis: McCloud logged seven snaps on offense (14 percent) while serving his usual role as the team's primary kick returner. The veteran wideout was coming off of a nice three-game stretch where he averaged 36.3 receiving yards and scored one touchdown before Monday's zero. McCloud's minimal role on offense makes him a fantasy afterthought heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Saints on Sunday.

Nov 22, 2022 12:25 PM EST


Converts big play in win

McCloud caught his lone target for 33 yards in Sunday's 22-16 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: Jimmy Garoppolo caught the Chargers in cover zero and dialed up McCloud on a streak for a big gain. It was the return specialist's only target on seven offensive snaps (10 percent). The 26-year-old has big-play ability, but he is too low on the depth chart to rely upon in fantasy. McCloud will continue serving as the team's No. 4 wideout and return man against the Cardinals next Monday.

Nov 14, 2022 11:29 AM EST


Nabs one catch in spot start

McCloud caught one of two targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 31-14 win over the Rams.

Analysis: McCloud got the start alongside Brandon Aiyuk after Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Jauan Jennings (hamstring) were forced to miss Sunday's contest. The return specialist logged 30 snaps on offense (57 percent) and did his thing on special teams (100 yards on five combined returns). McCloud's usage in the passing game didn't increase despite the elevated role, all but confirming that last week's career fantasy day was an outlier. The 26-year-old should resume his backup role when the 49ers return healthier from the upcoming bye week.

Oct 31, 2022 11:25 AM EST


Scores first TD of career

McCloud hauled in all four targets for 65 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 44-23 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: McCloud came out of nowhere to post his best offensive game as a professional. The 25-year-old didn't benefit from an injured starter nor a notable increase in playing time (25 percent of offensive snaps), so we have to write this off as a career game in unique circumstances. There is no reason to believe that the return specialist could continue this type of production from a fantasy perspective. McCloud will continue to handle return duties and serve as the 49ers' fourth receiver on the depth chart against the Rams next Sunday.

Oct 24, 2022 9:08 AM EST


No targets in win

McCloud logged 26 snaps (18 on offense) and was not targeted in Sunday's 37-15 win over Carolina.

Analysis: McCloud was in line to see a slightly-expanded role offensively if Jauan Jennings (ankle) was forced to miss the contest. The latter played, leaving McCloud in his usual fourth wideout/return role. The 25-year-old will fill a similar role in Week 6 against the Falcons.

Oct 10, 2022 9:00 AM EST


Catches one pass in win

McCloud caught one of three targets for six yards in Sunday's 24-9 win over the Rams.

Analysis: McCloud now has just one catch in each of the 49ers' first four games. Operating as San Francisco's No. 4 receiver, McCloud is not seeing enough opportunities on offense to be considered a viable fantasy starter. The 25-year-old wideout played on just nine of the team's offensive snaps, the least of any 49ers wideout in the contest. McCloud should remain off the fantasy radar when the 49ers visit the Panthers in Week 5.

Oct 5, 2022 3:41 AM EST


Another one-catch game

McCloud caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 11-10 loss to the Broncos.

Analysis: McCloud got off to a rough start when he slipped on the opening kickoff return and started San Francisco deep in its own territory. The return specialist logged 10 snaps on offense (18 percent) and 13 on special teams. McCloud doesn't carry any fantasy value in his current role as fourth on the receiver depth chart heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Rams.

Sep 26, 2022 12:12 PM EST


Nabs reception in win

McCloud caught one of two targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 27-7 win over Seattle.

Analysis: McCloud logged 18 of his 25 snaps on offense, with the other seven coming on special teams (three punt returns for 23 yards). The veteran return man will serve a similar role in Sunday's tilt against Denver.

Sep 19, 2022 7:04 PM EST


Handling return duties

McCloud caught one of two targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 19-10 loss to the Bears.

Analysis: McCloud is sitting at fourth on the receiver depth chart, so fantasy managers won't find much to see after his Week 1 stat line. The 25-year-old return specialist will primarily serve that role for the 49ers this season.

Sep 12, 2022 2:59 PM EST


Lands with San Francisco

McCloud signed a two-year contract with the 49ers on Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McCloud was a key contributor for the Steelers in 2021. He regularly served as the team's third receiver and managed to haul in a career-best 39 passes for 277 yards. His role as a pass catcher is likely to dwindle in San Francisco as he will slot in behind at least Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the depth chart while also battling for targets with George Kittle. As a result, McCloud's primary value could come as a punt returner, as he led the NFL with 367 punt return yards in 2021.

Mar 17, 2022 7:43 PM EST


Targeted nine times in Week 18

McCloud caught four of nine targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 16-13 OT win over the Ravens.

Analysis: McCloud had a consistent target share across the final three weeks of the regular season with at least eight targets in each of those games. However, he mustered only four catches in each appearance and failed to top 40 yards in any of those matchups. The 25-year-old appeared in 16 of 17 games during the regular season and caught 39 of 66 targets for 277 yards while rushing twice for 15 yards. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Jan 10, 2022 7:38 AM EST


Draws 10 targets against Browns

McCloud secured four of 10 targets for 35 yards in Monday's 26-14 win over Cleveland.

Analysis: McCloud's 10 targets marked his second-highest target count of the season, but he failed to generate much yardage as the Steelers' passing game struggled with efficiency Monday. The 2018 sixth-rounder has drawn at least eight targets in three of the last four games but has secured just 15 of his 29 targets for 92 yards during that time.

Jan 4, 2022 10:33 AM EST


Targeted eight times in loss

McCloud secured four of eight targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 36-10 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: McCloud didn't record any yardage in last week's win over Tennessee, but he ranked second on the team in targets in Sunday's blowout loss. The 2018 sixth-rounder has had inconsistent targets this year but has now been targeted at least eight times in three of his last six appearances.

Dec 26, 2021 8:17 PM EST


Six catches in primetime

McCloud hauled in six of eight targets for 32 yards in Thursday's 36-28 loss to the Vikings.

Analysis: McCloud's target share has been inconsistent this season, but his six catches in Thursday's loss ranked second on the team. However, the 2018 sixth-rounder was unable to generate much production with just 5.3 yards per catch. He's now secured 26 of 36 targets for 180 yards while rushing twice for 15 yards this year.

Dec 10, 2021 8:39 AM EST


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