49ers free agency: Grading each opening-wave move by John Lynch
By Peter Panacy
John Lynch, 49ers signing Ray-Ray McCloud
Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. A-. 42. Scouting Report. San Francisco 49ers. Ray-Ray McCloud. player
A move not necessarily worth grading, San Francisco bid farewell to one of its return specialists from 2021, running back Trenton Cannon, who leaves to take on a new role with the Tennessee Titans.
Regardless, the 49ers’ special teams unit was abysmal last year, as previously noted, and one of those reasons was because of the return game.
The Niners’ average starting field position over the course of the season was on their own 26.9-yard line, which ranked fourth worst in the NFL.
Getting a new, potentially prolific return specialist should have been high on John Lynch’s wish list, and it appeared he was honing in on former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and returner Ray-Ray McCloud.
McCloud comes aboard on a two-year deal after leading the league with 38 punt returns and 367 return yards a year ago, also doubling up with 35 kickoff returns for 776 yards.
San Francisco neglected special teams for some time now, especially the return game, and it looks as if McCloud will put a massive stop to that.