Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden apparently really liked the national championship game.
The Raiders added another player from the Clemson-Alabama rivalry when they drafted wide receiver Hunter Renfrow No. 11 pick in the fifth round.
[RELATED: Why Raiders mined talent from College Football Playoff National Championship Game]
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Hunter Renfrow
Position: Receiver
College: Clemson
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 185 pounds
Selection: Fifth round (No. 149 overall)
Scouting report
He won’t wow you as an athlete, especially with individual test scores, but always finds a way to produce. He’s an excellent route runner, but doesn’t have NFL size or strength. He gets knocked for having small hands, but he doesn’t drop many passes and is tough as nails. He’s also viewed almost exclusively as a slot receiver in the NFL.
NFL
Clemson literally implemented “third-and-Renfrow” plays in the playbook to capitalize on his small but sticky hands to make clutch adjustments on the football. He is a naturally savvy and skilled route runner, which is the key to his next-level transition. Overall, Renfrow’s size and skill-set make him a slot-only player in the NFL, but with his body control, instincts and dependable ball skills, there is absolutely a place in the NFL for his talent.
Renfrow is already over 23, after five seasons at Clemson. His college production speaks for itself, with 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns over four playing seasons with the Tigers.
Projected role
The Raiders need someone comfortable operating from the slot, and Renfrow is that guy. They have veteran options who can play inside, including Antonio Brown and Ryan Grant, but Renfrow could work to find an offensive role right away if he proves reliable in the offseason program and training camp.
He has the football character and leadership skill that seems to be a running theme of this 2019 draft class.
What they’re saying
“I always tell everyone he’s Clark Kent. He looks like the most normal human on the planet, then he puts that helmet on and becomes Superman.” -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on his star slot receiver
“I would say the ability to get separation, not just as a slot receiver but any position. Just being able to create space. If you can create space, you can catch the ball in space and be able to go make yards after the catch and just being reliable. Just being a guy that you know where he is going to be and you know he is going to make the play when the time comes.” -- Renfrow on his strengths in the slot