Ray-Ray McCloud has carved out a great role for the Steelers, but they already had a player like him in Ryan Switzer
When Ray-Ray McCloud was signed late into the offseason, most wrote the move off as a pure camp signing. A player that would come in for the Steelers, provide a healthy body, but would ultimately be cut by the end of the process. This especially certain, as Ryan Switzer seemed to have a lock on the “undersized returner” role, as he had held it over the last two years.
At cut down day, the impossible happened: Switzer was released as the team opted to go with the newer McCloud. As of now, that move looks like a huge win, as McCloud has become a solid player both on special teams and on the offense. That said, the Steelers should have already had this in Switzer, as the players are similar in build and style. With all of that said, here is why Switzer could have been a better player than McCloud while with the Steelers.
Metrics
While it is impossible to judge two players as the same based purely on metrics, it does hold merit. No two NFL players will have the same careers, but players that have similar builds and athleticism can at least project similarly. Looking at both McCloud and Switzer, these players are almost identical in size and athletic testing.
Coming out of college, Ryan Switzer was seen as a slot receiver and returner at the NFL. He had had success at North Carolina, and he was almost a sleeper in the draft. Switzer measured in at the combine at 68.5 inches and 181 lbs. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, with other notable metrics being: broad jump (116 inches), vertical jump (32 inches), bench press (11 inches), and 3-cone (6.77 seconds).
McCloud tested similarly to Switzer. Between his combine and pro day, he weighed in at 69 inches and 190 lbs. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, with other notable metrics being: broad jump (113 inches), vertical jump (34.5 inches), bench press (13 inches), and 3-cone (6.89 seconds, via his Pro Day). (Just as a note, the only reason his 3-cone is taken from his Pro Day is due to him not completing that drill at the Combine).
On paper, these players are nearly identical from a testing standpoint. McCloud is slightly bigger, and Switzer tested slightly more athletic, but those numbers are for the most part are negligible. On paper, these players are the same.