Report: Steelers to Sign former Bills, Panthers WR/KR Ray-Ray McCloud
The Steelers are expected to sign wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. McCloud, 23, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
McCloud (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) appeared in 10 games as rookie with Buffalo, making one start and had five catches for 36 yards. He was waived at the outset of the 2019 season and caught on with the Carolina Panthers. He appeared in six games without a target for the Panthers.
In addition to his receiving duties, McCloud worked as both a kick and punt returner at both of his previous NFL stops, with career averages of 7.3 yards per punt return and 21.3 yards per kickoff return.
New Steelers WR Ray Ray Mcloud is dynamic and a speed demon. He can flat out fly.
His elusiveness and shiftiness after the catch in the open field is impressive.
Also, he’s an extremely good returner. Takes this punt below to the house.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 20, 2020
McCloud had re-signed with the Bills this offseason, but was among their pre-camp releases on July 28.
In three seasons at Clemson, McCloud caught 127 balls for 1,226 yards and four touchdowns and was a three-year teammate of fellow Steelers wide receiver Deon Cain.
The team is currently at the 80-player roster maximum and must make a transaction in order to add McCloud to the roster.
The Steelers have not had a dedicated kick returner on their roster since waiving Quadree Henderson at the outset of camp. Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer and Kerrith Whyte have experience at those positions.