The 49ers are adding a special teams ace. San Francisco is signing wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter). The deal is worth up to $10.4MM, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
The former sixth-round pick bounced around the NFL during his first two years in the league, but he found a home in Pittsburgh over the past two saeasons. He got into 16 games during his first year with the Steelers, but he took a significant step forward in 2021.
McCloud made a name for himself on special teams, leading the NFL in punt return yardage at 367. He also returned 35 kickoffs for 776 yards. He wasn’t a scrub on offense, either; he hauled in 39 receptions for 277 yards, and he added another 15 yards on two carries.
Now, the 25-year-old is off to San Francisco. The Steelers made an effort to retain McCloud but the 49ers made a “stronger commitment,” according to Fowler (on Twitter).
Wanted him back. He’ll always have a place in Steelers nation for that 4th down conversion vs the ravens in big ben’s last regular season game to send them to the playoffs
Oh heck yeah!! Nice one Lynch and Kyle!! This is EXACTLY the type of player they’ve been missing on their return units, and he can even be used as a weapon on offense.
Kyle can use RayRay on end arounds, jet sweeps, bubble screens, as an RB either running the ball or catching passes, and he can also use him as a little slot 3rd WR letting him run crossing routes underneath where he will have multiple blockers in front of him once he gets the ball in stride..
Plus, the young man is only 25, so he can still get better as a route runner and overall as an offensive weapon. Well, at least you’d like to think so anyways..lol
The odds are that Ray Ray won’t have a HUGE impact on the offensive end, but his contributions on ST will pay some MAJOR dividends for the 49ers. That has been a serious weakness of theirs the past few seasons, and having McCloud should instantly help the offense and the defense, helping the 49ers win the field position battle!!
I absolutely love the under the radar moves the 49ers have made thus far this free agency period!! Keep it up Lynch, Kyle, and DeMeco!!
How about make an over the radar signing or trade your expensive as f qb before you start handing out bjs for jobs well done
Ohhhh noooo, shhhhhh, we cannot have that!!
Just like their signings and acquisitions, Lynch and Kyle like their bjs under the radar as well…
@richardc Something tells me RoastGobot is not getting any. The louder they are; the smaller the…
Wow. RoastGobot must have pretty sorry sex life…There is no real reason to rush a JimmyG trade. Why do you think they have to do it now?
I’m guessing you never watched him play and are just basing your excitement on this article? He is no savior to a return game, not by a long shot.
He’s 25, and still is growing and developing as a player. My excitement stems from his ability to continue getting better and better, and his tape EASILY tells me he’s the best return man the 49ers have had in a LOOOONG time!!
Given, that isn’t saying very much at all, because the 39ers return game has been trash, but RayRay McCloud is certainly an intriguing upgrade!!
The Bills drafted him, he never broke through in a below average WR group at the time and muffed a few punts to boot. He looked ok filling in as a WR3 for Pittsburgh but this guy is a meh
I don’t remember the last time we had a good return game. Can’t always worry about the d and o. Gotta improve special teams too
If you’re talking about the 49ers..It looks like Kyle and Lynch are making a strong effort to improve their ST units.
First, they got rid of Hightower, and brought in Seattle’s ST guy, who has led them to having solid ST units year after year. Next, they went out and signed LB Oren Burks, who is widely known as a ST ace. He should instantly help out on the coverage units, and now last but not least, they targeted RayRay and went after him hard. Needless to say, with RayRay, the return units should get an instant boost as well!!
Finally, it is maybe looking like we won’t have to cringe as we look at the team rankings, and see the 49ers rated with a top12 offense, top7 defense, but then their ranked ~27th in ST…lol
It be fun to see us finally have a return game .
I definitely second that notion!! Richie James had his moments, but he was unfortunately consistently inconsistent…
Dexter Carter maybe? It sure wasn’t Kyle Williams.
I’m going with Tedd Ginn Jr. I believe is the last solid one I can recall off the top of my head..lol
And he was some years ago, soooo yeah, that is a bit embarrassing for this proud franchise!!
As a Pittsburgh native and fan I can tell you 100 that Mike Tomlin, Big Ben, and the team loved what rayray was as a player.
The fans were frustrated with Chase Claypool not being able to step up when rayray did step up. He’s a good player and getting better. That said 5mil is for sure paying up for him.
Yeah he filled a niche here, really. Clay pool seemed more concerned with showboating and I hope he grows up. Unlimited potential. Johnson is their big yardage guy and I think RayRay benefitted from being the slot guy who didn’t get the same defensive attention. Not expecting to get JuJu back—will be an interesting draft
He’s replaceable.
Like this signing + Oren Burks. ST will improve
Rigdeway is a solid DL rotation piece.
Ward is another excellent signing
Time for Kinlaw & Banks to step up.
Another IOL, CB, edge rusher & TE in the draft please.
Imagine the endorsement possibilities if he changed his name to Ray-Ban McCloud.