NFL Draft picks are all about maximizing value. Franchises that can land quality players late in the draft are the most likely to have success on the field.
Sure, the best players are often those who are selected early in the draft. However, the shrewd personnel departments, those that separate themselves from the pack are the ones that can find gems in the later rounds.
Recently, we looked at where some of this year's Clemson Tigers might be taken in April's draft. Now, let's take a look at the most valuable NFL Draft picks that the program has ever produced.
No. 5: Hunter Renfro | Oakland Raiders |
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Wide Receiver | 2019 - 5th round |
There's quite a bit of debate among those who follow the Las Vegas Raiders about what to do with former Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. However, there is no denying that he's already done more in his career than a typical fifth-round pick usually does.
After posting 2,133 yards and 15 TDs on 186 catches as a Tiger, he has become a very good slot corner in the NFL. That's especially been true when he's been healthy and when he's had a quality QB throwing to him.
Thus far, Renfrow has caught 269 passes for 2,884 yards and 17 TDs in his five-year NFL career. That includes the 2021 season when he managed 1,038 yards and nine TDs on 103 catches. That year, he was named to the Pro Bowl for his efforts.
However, since then, Renfrow has failed to come close to those numbers. In 2022, a concussion caused him to miss significant time and he would end the year with only 36 catches for 330 yards and a pair of TDs.
Then, this past season he caught only 25 passes for 255 yards. However, it must be noted that the Raiders had an awful QB situation in 2023 with QB1 Jimmy Garoppolo making only six starts and appearing in just seven games overall.
It is tough for a receiver to thrive when his quarterback situation is in flux and that was Renfrow's fate this season. Still, when he has had a good QB and when he's been healthy, he has been very productive. That's why he is one of the bigger NFL Draft gems that Clemson has produced.