(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Steelers have signed wide receiver and return man Ray-Ray McCloud to a one-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. McCloud was a restricted free agent.
McCloud, 24, was a sixth-round pick by the Bills in 2018. McCloud had two stints in Buffalo and in between played in Carolina before being signed by the Steelers on August 21, 2020.
McCloud impressed the coaches during training camp with his return abilities and beat out Ryan Switzer for a roster spot. McCloud was mainly a return specialist for the Steelers in 2020, returning 28 kickoffs for 646 yards (23.1 average) and 29 punts for 298 yards (10.7 average). He was named to Pro Football Focus' All-Pro roster as a second-team return specialist.
McCloud had 20 receptions for 77 yards and rushed for 65 yards on four carries in 2020, 58 of his rushing yards came on an end-around against the Eagles in Week 5.
McCloud started off the season hot in 2020, but he started to fade late in the year and wasn't as productive as a returner and struggled to catch the ball cleanly on punts.
McCloud should be utilized more when it comes to jet sweeps, reverses and end-arounds in Matt Canada's offense. The 58-yard run against the Eagles in Week 5 is an example of how Canada could use McCloud in his offense.
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