Ray-Ray McCloud waiver wire fantasy outlook Week 10: Should you add Falcons WR?

Ray-Ray McCloud is not someone who comes to mind when thinking about an "offensive contributor for the Atlanta Falcons." Usually, that role is reserved for Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney and/or Kyle Pitts.

But as the team's WR3, McCloud has been a silent operator, catching passes in places where the defense least expects it and helping the team to a division-best 6-3 record. Does that secretly make him one of the most viable "slot men" in the league? This waiver wire analysis aims to find out.

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Ray-Ray McCloud waiver wire fantasy outlook for Week 10

NFL: OCT 20 Seahawks at Falcons - Source: Getty

When the Falcons were assembling their monstrous offensive core, many people had a seemingly clear idea of what the receiving hierarchy would look like. London would be the obvious No. 1, followed by tight end Pitts as he continued his slow but steady return to form after an MCL tear ended his sophomore season early.

But nine games into 2024, those expectations have shifted significantly. Free-agent signing Mooney has become the top receiver in the team but is only barely above London. Pitts is firmly entrenched at No. 3.

The fourth-best receiver, however, is somewhat of an unexpected name: Ray-Ray McCloud. He was very likely not supposed to be here — his role was supposed to go to Rondale Moore, the conduit in the trade that brought former quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals.

Another more plausible candidate for his spot was his fellow ex-San Francisco 49ers teammate Charlie Woerner, who would have been the blocker in two-TE sets.

And yet here he is, making the most of his opportunities and catching 32 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown. Said score occurred in the previous game, where he put up a season-best 9.5 fantasy points despite catching the ball just thrice for 28 yards.

That puts McCloud at WR52 in Sportskeeda's weekly fantasy football rankings — a rank that should improve, even if only by one spot or two, at the rapidly collapsing New Orleans Saints.

That team has been a middling 21st against WRs, allowing 33.89 points against them. But with former star cornerback Marshon Lattimore traded to the Washington Commanders and his former backfield partner Paulson Adebo out for the season with a leg fracture, that rank may decrease significantly despite the presence of Tyrann Mathieu.

Overall, McCloud is someone a shrewd fantasy manager should stash into a waiver wire. With expected new Saints starters Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry busy covering the corners, he should prove a surprise hit at the slot.