3 pending 2024 free agents 49ers fans should worry about losing
By Peter Panacy
49ers pending free agent No. 2: Ray-Ray McCloud
Normally, it wouldn't be worrisome to lose a third- or fourth-string wide receiver on the depth chart to free agency, but that's not why veteran Ray-Ray McCloud is on the list.
For the first time in what seems like years (yes, it's been years), the Niners have some consistency in their return game, thanks largely to the investment they made in McCloud last offseason. And while he made some modest contributions on offense to the tune of 14 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown, his return-specialist role is what helped the most.
A total of 26 kickoff returns for 599 yards, while adding 33 punt returns for 356 yards surely helped improve what was previously a lackluster San Francisco special teams unit.
Special teams typically undergo massive changes on a year-to-year basis, but in light of the 49ers' seemingly historic problems in the return game over the last 10-plus years, perhaps it'd be wise for the Niners to have McCloud stay around just a little while longer.