Ray-Ray McCloud III Catches Four Passes To Close Out Productive Season
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III hauled in four of seven targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime loss to the Panthers, ending their season. While he found the end zone just once all year, the performance caps off a productive campaign for the 28-year-old. The sixth-year pro set career highs (by a wide margin) with 87 targets, 62 catches, and 686 receiving yards. With Michael Penix Jr. looking like a competent passer, the Falcons offense could take a step forward next season. McCloud III should maintain some appeal in PPR leagues as the number three option behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Could See A Boost In Activity In Week 18
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III has seen his role fade recently, catching just a single pass in two of the last three contests, but could be in line for an uptick in productivity if Darnell Mooney (shoulder) were to miss Sunday's contest after being limited Thursday and not practicing on Friday. Despite the recent slump, McCloud III has had a career year, setting highs in receptions (58) and yards (620), and on Sunday he'll take on a Panthers defense that is middle-of-the-pack in limiting fantasy production to opposing wide receivers, but just last week allowed five touchdown receptions, four of which went to WRs (one went to a TE). The 28-year-old is probably a WR5 at best if Mooney plays, but if not, he could see a bump all the way to a borderline WR3/4 or Flex option if Mooney misses the game.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Underwhelms In Week 17 Overtime Loss
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught his lone target for 13 yards and gained 14 additional yards on a rushing attempt in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Commanders. It was an underwhelming performance from the 28-year-old, although his 14-yard run kept alive the game-tying fourth-quarter touchdown drive and got the Falcons down to the Washington five-yard line. But the offense doesn't typically support both he and Kyle Pitts, and Sunday was Pitts' night as he caught four passes including one for a touchdown. After catching no less than two passes in every game through Week 14, McCloud now has two one-catch games in the last three weeks. The Clemson product and the entire Falcons offense have a chance to end the regular season on a high note in Week 18, as they draw the Panthers at home in a game they need to win in order to have a shot at the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught three of four targets in Michael Penix Jr.'s first career start last week, but totaled only 19 yards on those receptions. The 28-year-old has had a pretty reliable target share in this offense all season, working as the third option behind receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney but ahead of tight end Kyle Pitts. While the yardage totals won't typically amount to much and he's scored only once all season, the sixth-year pro's usage can be somewhat useful in PPR formats. With Penix Jr. making only his second career start this Sunday, McCloud's short 6.08 aDOT could again come in handy if the young QB is looking for a safety valve. Unless desperate, however, fantasy managers vying for championships shouldn't be relying on the Clemson product as he projects as a WR5/6 on Sunday.
Ray-Ray McCloud III Held To 19 Yards In Week 16 Blowout Win
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III was limited to just 19 yards in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Giants, hauling in three of the four targets he saw from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. It wasn't a great day for fantasy for the Falcon wideouts in the young QBs first start as Atlanta leaned heavily on the rushing attack with the running backs logging 33 attempts in the contest. The sixth-year pro added one rush of his own for nine yards. Now, after a three-game stretch of heavier-than-normal involvement, McCloud III has had back-to-back duds with a total of four catches for 33 yards combined in the last two games. The 28-year-old will get a somewhat easier matchup in Week 17 versus a middle-of-the-road Washington pass defense, but hopefully managers have other options at this point.
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
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Falcons
