Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught just one of his three targets for 14 yards last week, but it wasn't just McCloud who had a dud. The receiving corps in general underperformed as a result of ineffective passing from Kirk Cousins and from a ground game that was clicking, with the backs totaling 168 rushing yards. The 28-year-old had been much more involved in Weeks 11-14, averaging six catches and over seven targets during that stretch. With Michael Penix Jr. making his first career start on Sunday, how the passing attack will unfold is a bit of an unknown, but if the left-handed quarterback needs a safety blanket, McCloud III could fit the bill. The wideout has the lowest average depth of target out of the first-team receivers with an aDOT of 6.27. The Clemson product is shaping up to be a WR5 this week with perhaps some slight upside in PPR leagues, but it's a risky proposition with the quarterback situation and fantasy playoffs on the line.
The Atlanta Falcons didn't need to throw the ball much to defeat the lowly Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday Night Football to close out Week 15 action. On a night where quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted only 17 passes and threw for 112 yards, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught one of his three targets for a gain of 14 yards. It was a disappointing performance in a great matchup after McCloud set season-highs across the board in catches (eight), targets (11) and receiving yards (98) in the Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also had 95 receiving yards the week prior. The 28-year-old is Atlanta's clear No. 3 wideout behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney, but with the way the Falcons' offense has struggled this year, he's not a realistic weekly flex play for fantasy managers. Keep in mind that Cousins has thrown one touchdown in the last five games.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Under Flex Consideration In Week 15
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III has had a consistent -- albeit small -- role in the offense all season long, but has seen it grow over the last three weeks, averaging nearly eight targets and six catches per game along with back-to-back performances of 95-plus yards. The 28-year-old is not a red zone threat having scored just once all season, which limits his upside, but the involvement makes him highly useful in PPR leagues. The Falcons take on the Raiders in Week 15 who have been generous to wide receivers as of late, allowing six touchdowns and the second-most receiving yards over the last four weeks. McCloud in particular has a favorable matchup with Darnay Holmes expected to cover him out of the slot. Atlanta is favored in this contest and with Drake London and Darnell Mooney attracting coverage, the Clemson product should again see a healthy workload. The veteran wideout has WR3 upside in PPR leagues and is a potential Flex option in all other formats for Monday Night Football.
Ray-Ray McCloud III With Eight-Reception Performance In Loss
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III earned the most targets of any Falcon pass catcher on Sunday with 11, converting a team-high eight of them and racking up 98 yards while adding one rush for three yards in a 42-21 loss to the Vikings. It continues an impressive stretch of productivity for the 28-year-old, now with at least four catches and six targets in three straight contests. Atlanta's kick returner lost a fumble that reduced his fantasy output slightly, but overall it was another example of the veteran cementing himself as the third option in Atlanta's passing attack. With 53 receptions, 574 receiving yards, and one TD on the season, McCloud III should have some appeal again as a flex option in Week 15 against the Raiders, especially in PPR formats.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Back In Flex Conversation In Week 14
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III is coming off back-to-back six-target games, catching 10 of those balls for 141 yards. The 28-year-old has been a pretty consistent option in the passing game for the Falcons all year, catching three or more passes in 10 of Atlanta's 12 games, while seemingly pushing Kyle Pitts out of the picture over the last couple of weeks. With just one touchdown on the season, the Clemson product's upside is limited, but with 45 receptions on the season, he can be in Flex consideration most weeks in PPR leagues. Minnesota allows the most fantasy points to wide receivers in the entire NFL, so this could certainly be one of those weeks. McCloud III projects as a WR5/Flex option this week, with slight upside in PPR formats.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Leads Falcons In Receiving Yards In Loss
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III recorded a 60-yard reception on Sunday, finishing the game with 95 yards receiving on four catches (six targets) in the 17-13 loss to the Chargers. After not recording six targets in a game from Weeks 6 through 10, the 28-year-old has logged back-to-back weeks with six targets. The increase in usage appears to have come at the expense of tight end Kyle Pitts who has one catch on five targets in the last two weeks combined. McCloud has just one touchdown on the season, but if he can maintain this level of production, then he could make for a useful Flex option in PPR formats. The Falcons take on the Vikings in Week 14 who have allowed wide receivers to feast this season, so the veteran wideout could have another productive showing next Sunday.
Ray-Ray McCloud III A Low-End PPR Option In Week 13
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III had a six-catch performance back in Week 11 before the team's bye, the third time this season that the 28-year-old has recorded six catches in a contest. While the yardage totals aren't typically very high for him, the veteran wideout has caught at least two balls in every game so far this season and at least three in nine of 11 games, which is more than teammate Kyle Pitts can account for. Week 13 brings a matchup with the Chargers, and in a showdown with a 47.5 over/under that has Los Angeles as just one-point favorites, this should be a competitive contest that will allow McCloud to stay involved. With no teams on bye this week, there are likely better options for managers to choose from, but the Clemson product is a WR5 this week with some upside in PPR formats.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Resurfaces With Six Catches In Loss
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught the most passes of any Falcon receiver in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Broncos, hauling in all six of his targets for 46 scoreless yards. McCloud recorded two consecutive six-catch games in Weeks 4 and 5, but caught no more than three passes or surpassed 30 yards receiving in five straight contests coming into Sunday. With just one touchdown on the season, he's not a great fantasy option unless you're in a deep PPR league, however, Darnell Mooney went down with a hamstring injury during Sunday's contest and if he were to miss time, then McCloud could see a small increase in production. The Falcons have a bye in Week 12, so Mooney has time to recover, and McCloud figures to be a WR5 come Week 13.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Not Very Active In Week 10 Loss
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III wasn't very involved in the 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He ended with four targets which tied for fourth-most on the team with Bijan Robinson. Those turned into three receptions for 30 yards and he even received one carry which went for six yards. Drake London and Darnell Mooney were the undisputed top pass-catchers for Kirk Cousins in this matchup while McCloud couldn't find much open space. He'll try to get more involved against a tougher defense in the Denver Broncos in Week 11.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Records First TD Of The Season In Week 9
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III reeled in all three of his targets in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Cowboys, gaining 28 yards and scoring his first touchdown of the season. The 28-year-old added one rush attempt for seven yards. While the touchdown saved his fantasy day, he's averaged just 3.5 targets per game over the last four contests after averaging nearly six targets per game over the first five. Unfortunately, teammate Drake London was injured on Sunday, but if he were to miss time that could lead to a couple more targets for McCloud. The other thing working in his favor is that the Falcons take on the Saints in Week 10, the team who the Clemson product saw earlier this season, catching six passes for 52 yards in that matchup. All that being said and even though the Saints have been a favorable defense for opposing wide receivers, McCloud is still likely not a preferred fantasy option in Week 10.
Ray-Ray McCloud III
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Falcons
