Clemson Football: Ray-Ray McCloud 2018 NFL Draft Profile

Over the next few weeks, Rubbing The Rock will be analyzing each Clemson football player in the 2018 NFL Draft class. Today we’ll be taking a look at Ray-Ray McCloud.

Ray-Ray McCloud (WR) Tampa, Florida:

McCloud was one of the top prep players in the country coming out of the state of Florida. Standing just 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, McCloud was a jack-of-all trades for Sickles high school, playing running back wide receiver and quarterback on occasion.

His dynamic play-making ability translated to the college level, where McCloud starred as a slot receiver, return man and emergency defensive back.

Strengths:

As I mentioned above, McCloud is a versatile player. What he lacks in size he makes up for in speed, agility and big-play potential. His ability to extend plays after the catch and return punts and kicks makes him valuable to any NFL franchise.

McCloud’s skill set fits perfectly into the modern NFL offenses. Wide-open, multiple receiver sets are the norm around the league. Luckily for McCloud he played in one of the most high octane college offenses in the country at Clemson.

Practicing against the Tigers’ stingy secondary will also aid McCloud in his transition to the NFL. He will have already faced, long, physical defensive backs.

Weaknesses:

For all of the potential that McCloud has, he didn’t produce as much as you would have expected during his time in Death Valley.

His lack of production may be due to Clemson’s loaded receiving core or their more run-oriented offense in 2017, either way it is concerning. Receiver’s his size don’t get drafted high without impressive stats to back them up.

Over the duration of his career, McCloud amassed 127 receptions for 1,226 and just four touchdowns. This would suggest that he’s more of a chain mover than anything.

Projection

I expect McCloud to go late in the draft. His intriguing skill-set and Clemson pedigree will surely be enticing for teams in the later rounds. I’d love to see him land in a place like Kansas City with Andy Reid or New Orleans with Sean Payton.

Next: Don't sleep on Adam Choice in 2018

At either franchise, McCloud would be playing under a creative offensive mind that will find ways to get him the ball in space.

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