He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL draft.

[1] Clayton started his career in 1983 on the bench, appearing sporadically on offense but working as the team's primary punt returner.

Playing in 15 games, he caught 73 passes for 1,389 yards for a league leading 18 touchdowns while garnering his first selection to the Pro Bowl.

[4] His eighteen touchdowns were the most by a receiver in one season until it was surpassed in 1987 by Jerry Rice; Clayton's 1984 mark is still tied for the third highest total in NFL history.

[5] In the Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks, he caught five passes for 75 yards for a touchdown in the 31–10 win.

The following week, he caught four passes for 95 yards and a score as they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship 45–28.

[6] He renewed himself in 1988, having a Pro Bowl year with a career high 86 passes for 1,129 yards while scoring a league-leading 14 touchdowns.

He did have one more revival with the 1991 season, catching 70 passes for 1,053 yards while scoring 12 times for a fifth and final Pro Bowl selection.

He ended his Miami career the next year, playing 13 games while catching 43 passes for 619 yards with three touchdowns.