How the 49ers can Replace WR/KR Ray-Ray McCloud
The San Francisco 49ers are now in the market for a kick/punt returner.
Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the Atlanta Falcons on a two year deal worth up to $6 million, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
McCloud had brought solidification as a kick/punt returner for the 49ers. That is a position that Kyle Shanahan wants secured to ensure turnovers don't occur and efficient field position on fielded kicks. Luckily for the 49ers, there are a couple of options for them in free agency to find his replacement.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Before there was Deebo Samuel, it was Cordarrelle Patterson who was the original "wide back" in the NFL. He came into the league as a wide receiver, but has slowly transitioned into a running back since 2017. Now, he is a full blown running back with special teams capability. Until last season, Patterson was a tremendous force for the Atlanta Falcons. He isn't the same player anymore, but he isn't some scrub.
Adding Patterson to the 49ers would be a fun dynamic. Not only does he give them security as a kick/punt returner, but he can give some impactful offensive snaps as McCloud did. Patterson is practically position-less, which is what Shanahan loves with players. The only downside is that he is 32 years old and is on a decline. Patterson would be more of a one-year addition for the 49ers.
Hunter Renfrow
If the 49ers do not want the singular year addition of Patterson, then they could look long-term by signing receiver Hunter Renfrow. The Las Vegas Raiders released Renfrow after he was phased out of the offense and to save a chunk of cap space. Renfrow is a slot receiver whose route running is silky smooth. But what gets overlooked is his capability as a returner.
He is mostly a punt returner than a kick returner, but punts are where the 49ers need more security at. Renfrow is a smart player who can take care of the football there as well as give the 49ers adequate offensive snaps. I don't think his value will be that high since there is a wonder on if he can still produce after an invisible 2023. Signing him could be a three-year deal out of the 49ers. That way they can address their replacement for Jauan Jennings in the future.
Ronnie Bell
Replacing McCloud doesn't have to be in free agency. Their replacement could be on the team in receiver Ronnie Bell. Now, Bell did not prove to be a comfortable returner. But the 49ers may feel that going out and signing someone is a waste of salary cap space. So, perhaps Bell is their replacement by default.
If not him, then perhaps they draft someone. It would be tough to imagine them looking to Deebo Samuel and/or Brandon Aiyuk to help there as they are more than capable of doing so. Bell would make sense since he has already done it or someone on the team that hasn't shown it in a game yet, but does so in practice.
