A new receiver is getting a shot to earn a role with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Finding talented receivers hasn’t typically been much of a problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers until recently. While JuJu Smith-Schuster is the clear No. 1 guy at the top of their receiving depth chart, he still has plenty to prove this season after an underwhelming performance in 2019.
Behind Smith-Schuster are a few guys with some promising upside like Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and rookie Chase Claypool. Determining which receivers will earn the last one or two spots on the Steelers depth chart this year, however, it something that isn’t even close to being figured out.
Recently, Pittsburgh brought a few players in for a tryout including former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. On Thursday, it was reported by NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero that the Steelers will be signing McCloud.
Who is the newest receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Measuring in at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, McCloud spent his time in college as a member of the Clemson football team. He had some decent production during his career at Clemson as both a receiver and a returner.
Back in 2018, the Bills decided to use a sixth-round pick on McCloud in the NFL Draft. He lasted a season in Buffalo before the team parted ways with him as part of their final cuts in 2019.
McCloud then had a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers before landing back with the Bills to be on their practice squad. Buffalo let him go for the second time last month and now it looks like he’ll be trying to earn a spot on Pittsburgh’s final 2020 roster.
If McCloud is going to make it through the Steelers’ final cuts this year, it will likely be as a returner. In his limited time in the NFL, this is the area of his game that has flashed the most.
However, with no preseason games this year, it might be hard for him to get many opportunities that truly showcase his potential as a returner. McCloud is still probably a long shot to make the regular-season roster, but Pittsburgh is obviously willing to see what he can do.