6 Steelers that will turn heads during training camp in 2021

Steelers Ray-Ray McCloud

Ray-Ray McCloud was a breath of fresh air for the Steelers return game last year. A group that had been one of the league’s worst for quite some time, McCloud proved to be a valuable return man and added a level of consistency to this group. His offensive contributions were another story though. While he provided the occasional big play, he was mostly ineffective and was rarely targeted downfield.

While his returns should remain consistent, the hope is that Matt Canada will use a player like McCloud more effectively on offense. More use of motion, end-arounds, and even the occasional downfield target could turn McCloud into more of an offensive weapon. As well, with J.J. Smith-Schuster showing a desire to play more on the outside, McCloud would be the next best slot option.

Now, McCloud will not go from a weapon to a legitimate starting receiver over the course of this season. That said, a better scheme could turn him into one of the better gadget players on the team. That should be evident early and often in camp. Expect to hear reports surface of McCloud doing a bit of everything in camp. Considering the style of offense Canada played in college, McCloud could see a larger role on offense while retaining his job as a returner.