NFL draft: Former Clemson WR selected in 6th round by Bills

TigerNet Staff by

Former Clemson wide receiver Ray Ray McCloud was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 187th overall pick in the sixth round in Saturday’s edition of the NFL draft.

McCloud was pegged by NFL.com as a free agent signing and rated the No. 40 wide receiver prospect by CBS Sports. He was selected within two picks of receiver teammate Deon Cain, who went as the 21st receiver selected in the draft to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 185.

"If he is going to be a great return man, that's going to be his initial entry into the National Football League," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said Saturday. "That's where he shines...Maybe a factor down the road as a slot option or put him in the backfield, but on special teams in the return game is where he will have to make his presence felt."

McCloud is a 10th former Clemson receiver currently listed on an NFL roster.

He joins former Tiger defensive end Shaq Lawson on the Bills roster.

McCloud’s NFL.com profile: “Despite McCloud's lack of prototypical size for the position, he has proven himself a clutch performer for the Tigers over the past two seasons. The 13-game starter was named honorable mention All-ACC as an all-purpose player in 2017, making plays as a receiver (49 receptions, 503 yards, one touchdown), rusher (six carries, 30 yards), and punt returner (25 returns, 303 yards, one touchdown). McCloud played in all 14 games of the team's national championship run, starting five contests. He caught 49 passes for 472 yards and two scores, as well as returning 21 punts for 176 yards. As a freshman, McCloud played in 12 games with one start, caught 29 throws for 251 yards and a touchdown, ran seven times for 48 yards, and averaged 31.9 yards on seven kickoff returns. The Tampa native rushed for over 4,000 yards in his final two years in high school but was the second-ranked receiver prospect nationally by Rivals.com.”

Super excited to be a buffalo bill @buffalobills and can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates! #billsmafia #187 pic.twitter.com/QMAZVqILjY — Yo.Dùrtty™ (@RMIII_34) April 28, 2018

Ray-Ray McCloud says he’s “dominant with the ball” in his hands. Feels he can play outside the slot as well. #Bills #NFLDraft — Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) April 28, 2018

The Buffalo Bills make it two Clemson receivers in three picks with the sure handed Ray-Ray McCloud! pic.twitter.com/xsjTzgQjts — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

#Bills add a playmaker with Clemson WR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud (#21) here in Round 6. Return skills should help him make the team. pic.twitter.com/T1XUYR1DGZ — Kevin Brown (@nfldraftnik) April 28, 2018

Drafted two spots apart from each other — Deon picked 185th to Colts and Ray-Ray picked 187th to Bills!



Congratulations, Deon & Ray-Ray!#NFLDraft #ClemsonFamily pic.twitter.com/5puktee5Og — Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 28, 2018

We’ve drafted Ray-Ray McCloud with the 187th overall pick.



Welcome to Buffalo, Ray-Ray! pic.twitter.com/a9zeyUkOUh — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) April 28, 2018

Ray-Ray McCloud is joining the @buffalobills from @ClemsonFB.



Learn more about the Bills new wide receiver: pic.twitter.com/8gRXKghfBl — Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) April 28, 2018

Oh yea I got my Clemson boy https://t.co/5HXZDgG2ws — Shaq Lawson (@Shaq_Lawson90) April 28, 2018

Ray-Ray McCloud says former Clemson teammate Shaq Lawson just called him to talk briefly about joining him with #Bills — Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) April 28, 2018

Clemson receivers Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCleod take two picks apart in 6th round,picks 185 and 187. First time two Tigers who play same position take that close together since 2009 Clemons and Hamlin back to back... — Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) April 28, 2018