With the best receiver in the world, Davante Adams, now in the desert, people seem to forget that the Las Vegas Raiders already had one of the best slot receivers in the world, Hunter Renfrow.
In a division with elite talent all around, it’s easy to forget about the 5’10” dude who looks nothing like a football player. Before Renfrow, there was Cole Beasley; before him, there was Julian Edelman; before him, there was Wes Welker. Renfrow has established himself as the next great slot receiver who looks nothing like a football player.
After a solid first two seasons in the NFL, serving strictly as a slot guy, Renfrow exploded onto the scene in 2021 and established himself as one of the best, if not the best slot receivers in the NFL.
Hunter Renfrow is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL
Last season, Henfrow put up monster stats. His 103 catches were the 9th most in the NFL, same with his nine touchdown grabs. He topped 1,000 yards, brought in 96.5% of catchable balls that were thrown his way, and for all of the targets that went his way, he caught 80.5% of them, the second-best mark in the last 30 seasons.
Renfrow was automatic on catching targets, but was also automatic on getting open on a 3rd down; there’s a reason he was called 3rd and Renfrow at Clemson.
Can Renfrow have another great season?
Now, think about this, Renfrow was unstoppable when he was legitimately the only guy quarterback Derek Carr had to throw to. Imagine what he’ll do this year with a healthy Darren Waller and Davante Adams?
While Renfrow’s catches and targets will take a hit, his effectiveness will be off the charts. He’s going to be surrounded by two guys who both deserve to get double-teamed, and considering a safety will always be shaded to one or the other, Renfrow will be getting single-covered by a team’s nickel cornerback.
Derek Carr will have a lot of fun this season throwing the ball to these three guys, but he’ll need to do it effectively if they’re going to make the playoffs in a loaded AFC West.
It was impressive enough that the Raiders made it to the postseason last year, considering everything that went on midseason and the squad they had.
Now, they’re better at everything, but their division rivals also got better. The Raiders will have a lot of tight contests next season and many shootouts. If they’re going to come out victorious in a lot of those, they’ll need Renfrow to get open on a big third-down or along the goal line.
We know what Waller and Adams are going to do, but the question mark lies with Renfrow and if he can have a repeat performance of last season? They’ll need it in some capacity if they’re to compete in the wild west.
Not only do I think he has as good of a season this year from an effective standpoint (drop off from the catches and yards), but he’ll reach double digit touchdown grabs.