Ray Ray McCloud III is a bit of a statistical enigma in the NFL. If you just glance at the box scores, you might see a guy who bounces around the league, but if you actually watch the tape, you see a human joystick that defensive coordinators hate to account for in space. He isn't your prototypical 6'3" outside threat. Not even close. But the Ray Ray McCloud stats tell a story of a player who has carved out a decade-long career by being one of the most reliable "security blanket" and special teams assets in the modern game.
Born in Tampa and refined at Clemson, McCloud has always been about twitch. That lateral agility is exactly why he’s stuck around since being a sixth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills back in 2018. Most guys drafted that late are out of the league in three years. Ray Ray? He just keeps finding ways to get the ball in his hands.
The Special Teams Engine: Where the Numbers Really Live
When people search for Ray Ray McCloud stats, they usually start with the return game. Honestly, for a long time, that was his entire identity. You look at his 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s really the blueprint. He led the NFL in punt returns (38) and punt return yards (367). That wasn't a fluke. It was a result of Mike Tomlin trusting a guy who—despite some early-career fumbling concerns—simply knows how to find the seam.
He’s racked up over 2,500 kickoff return yards and well over 1,000 punt return yards in his career. Think about that for a second. That is a lot of "hidden yardage" that doesn't always show up on a fantasy football scoreboard but keeps a head coach's job secure. He averages around 9 to 10 yards per punt return. That’s essentially giving your offense an extra first down every time the opponent has to kick it away. It’s gritty work. It’s taking hits from 250-pound linebackers running at full speed while you're looking up at the sky.
But here is the thing.
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The narrative that he is just a returner is dead.
Transitioning to a Genuine Receiving Threat
The shift happened around 2022 and 2023. While he was with the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan—who is basically a mad scientist for offensive spacing—started using McCloud as a gadget piece that actually demanded coverage. You started seeing his catch percentage climb. We are talking about a guy who consistently catches 65% to 70% of the balls thrown his way.
His 2024 stint with the Atlanta Falcons really highlighted this evolution. With Kirk Cousins under center, McCloud wasn't just a "clear-out" runner anymore. He became a legitimate third-down target. On those crucial 3rd-and-4 situations, you’d see him lined up in the slot, shaking a nickel corner with a whip route.
Let’s talk raw receiving numbers.
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He’s moved past the days of having only 10 or 15 catches a year. In recent seasons, he’s been hovering closer to that 40-catch, 500-yard mark. It’s not Justin Jefferson territory. Obviously. But for a WR3 or WR4, those are high-efficiency numbers. He’s the guy who keeps the chains moving so the stars can get their rest.
Breaking Down the Efficiency
- Catch Rate: Usually stays north of 65%, which is elite for a slot guy.
- Yards After Catch (YAC): This is his bread and butter. McCloud often averages 4 to 5 yards after the catch.
- Target Share: In Atlanta, his target share spiked significantly compared to his time in Pittsburgh or San Francisco.
The Clemson Foundation and NFL Longevity
Why does he still have a job in 2026? It goes back to his time at Clemson. He was part of that 2016 National Championship team. When you play for Dabo Swinney, you learn how to block. That is the "hidden" Ray Ray McCloud stats category. He’s one of the best-blocking small receivers in the league. If you watch a 20-yard sweep by a running back, look for #15 (or whatever jersey he's wearing that year). He’s usually the one sticking his nose into a safety's chest.
He left Clemson with 127 receptions and 1,226 yards. Interestingly, his college stats almost mirrored his early NFL trajectory—consistent, reliable, but waiting for that one big explosive breakout. He’s always been a "volume" guy in terms of touches, whether that’s a jet sweep, a screen, or a return.
Understanding the "Fumble" Narrative
We have to be real here. If you look at the historical Ray Ray McCloud stats, you will see a blip in the "Fumbles" column, especially early in his career. In 2018 and 2019, he had some issues with ball security on punt returns. It almost cost him his career.
But the maturity he showed to fix that is worth noting. He went from a "liability" to a "sure-handed vet." He localized the issue, tightened his tech, and became a player coaches trust in the fourth quarter of playoff games. That kind of statistical turnaround is rare in the NFL. Usually, once a returner gets the "dropsies," they are out of the league. McCloud fought back.
Team-by-Team Impact
- Buffalo Bills: The learning curve. Low usage, mostly a developmental project.
- Carolina Panthers: A brief stint where he tried to find his footing.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: The breakout. This is where he became a household name for special teams junkies.
- San Francisco 49ers: The refinement. Shanahan taught him how to be a "positionless" football player.
- Atlanta Falcons: The veteran leadership phase. Becoming a primary slot target for a veteran QB.
Fantasy Football Value: The Deep League Secret
If you’re looking at Ray Ray McCloud stats for fantasy purposes, you’re likely in a 14-team league or a deep PPR (Point Per Reception) format. He is the ultimate "floor" player. He’s rarely going to give you 30 points and win you the week. But in a pinch, he’s the guy who will get you 4 catches for 45 yards. In leagues that reward return yardage? He’s a gold mine.
In 2024 and 2025, his utility as a "flex" play increased because he stayed healthy while other big-name receivers went down. Consistency is a stat all its own. Being available for 16 or 17 games a year is something McCloud has been remarkably good at.
Why the Scouts Still Love Him
Speed is great, but "play speed" is better. McCloud’s 40-yard dash was a 4.53. That won't blow anyone's hair back. But his 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill times were excellent. That’s why his stats show so many missed tackles forced. He’s slippery.
When you analyze the Ray Ray McCloud stats regarding "Separation Yards," he’s often in the top tier of the league. He gets open. It’s that simple. Whether the QB finds him is a different story, but the data shows he creates space. For a guy his size (about 5'9"), if you can't create space, you're unemployed.
What the Future Holds
As we look at his trajectory, McCloud is entering that "elder statesman" phase for wideouts. He’s no longer the young kid trying to make a roster. He’s the guy teams bring in to stabilize a young locker room. His stats might start to dip in terms of raw return yardage as he gets older—the league is moving away from kick returns anyway with the new rules—but his value as a situational receiver is at an all-time high.
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He’s basically turned himself into a modern-day Danny Amendola or a more athletic version of the slot specialists of the early 2010s.
Actionable Insights for Following McCloud's Career:
- Watch the Snap Count: If you want to predict his impact, don't look at his targets. Look at his snaps. When he’s on the field for more than 50% of offensive plays, he usually produces a 10+ point PPR performance.
- Monitor Return Rule Changes: As the NFL continues to tweak kickoff rules to encourage more returns (or less), McCloud's value fluctuates. He thrives in "live" return environments.
- Check the Slot Matchup: McCloud destroys "heavy" linebackers. If the opposing team plays a lot of base 4-3 defense, McCloud is going to have a field day in the middle of the field.
- Verify Official NFL GSIS Data: For the most granular look at his targets per route run, always refer to the NFL's official Game Statistics and Information System reports, as third-party sites often miss his special teams' nuances.