ESPN identified one last move for every NFL team before training camp begins in late July, highlighting a contract extension, signing or trade that each team should make.
Several Clemson pros drew a mention in the article (subscription required), authored by ESPN’s Aaron Schatz.
Schatz suggested a Clemson signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars – former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse, who has been highly productive for the Dallas Cowboys over the past three seasons after signing with Dallas before the 2021 campaign.
“The Jaguars have Antonio Johnson on top of their depth chart at strong safety. He’s a 2023 fifth-round pick who started three games last season. He had two picks and a sack with good coverage charting numbers in limited use” Schatz wrote. “Still, it would be good to have a veteran option and a camp battle. Kearse played an important role in the Cowboys’ three-safety sets last season and would come cheaper (and fit better closer to the box) than other veteran safeties such as Justin Simmons and Eddie Jackson.”
Schatz also recommended a Clemson move for the Minnesota Vikings, saying they should sign Hunter Renfrow, who became a free agent after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders in March.
Although Renfrow is coming off back-to-back down seasons, the Clemson legend is only a few years removed from being a 2021 Pro Bowler and has racked up 269 receptions for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns in 73 games over the first five years of his NFL career.
“Brandon Powell had an average receiving DVOA on 44 targets in 2023, but his 324 receiving yards represented a career high after six years in the league. There are a lot of inexperienced players after him on the depth chart, plus veteran Trent Sherfield, who had just 11 catches in Buffalo last season,” Schatz wrote. “Minnesota could use a veteran slot receiver who knows how to get open underneath while Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are stretching defenses. Randall Cobb would be another possibility, although he turns 34 in August.”
Another former Clemson receiver, Tee Higgins, was mentioned by Schatz as well.
Schatz says the Cincinnati Bengals should extend Higgins, who recently signed his franchise tender and is expected to attend training camp.
Higgins, who has been seeking a contract extension, requested a trade after receiving the franchise tag in late February, as he and the Bengals have failed to reach a long-term deal. Although it doesn’t appear likely to happen at this point, the two sides have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal.
“Higginssigned his franchise tag tenderMonday, but he is the only tagged player who hasn’t signed a long-term extension,” Schatz wrote. “He’s one of the top No. 2 receivers in the league, finishing 14th in receiving DVOA last season. Higgins is an important part of the Bengals’ offense, and Cincinnati doesn’t have the depth at the position to make up for his loss if he leaves after 2024.”
A.J. Terrell was named in the article as well, with Schatz saying the Atlanta Falcons should extend the former Clemson cornerback who is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal in 2024.
A first-round pick (16th overall) of the Falcons in 2020, Terrell tallied 45 tackles (four for loss) and 11 pass breakups in 17 games last season. Although he hasn’t notched an interception since his 2021 All-Pro season (when he picked off three passes), the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has recorded four interceptions, as well as more than 40 pass breakups, in his four-year NFL career so far.
“Terrell might have been the best cornerback in the NFL in 2021. He may have been below average in 2022. He was back up in 2023, finishing 15th in success rate and 35th in coverage DVOA among qualified cornerbacks. What can I say? Cornerback stats are inconsistent and hard to predict,” Schatz wrote. “Nonetheless, Terrell is easily considered the most important player on the Atlanta defense behind maybe safety Jessie Bates III. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option, but now they need to get Terrell signed long term so he doesn’t leave for another team in 2025.”
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