When the Las Vegas Raiders first signed wide receiver Jakobi Meyers as a free agent, several analysts around the league wondered if this signing might signal a Hunter Renfrow trade. After all, the two players have very similar skill sets, and it was hard to imagine both players playing up to their ability with such an overlap in talent. While a trade has yet to go down, Meyers has clearly taken over Renfrow’s old role, as the longtime Raider has just three receptions for 40 yards through three games.
Currently sitting at 1-2, the Raiders are clearly going nowhere fast this year, especially considering Jimmy Garoppolo is currently in concussion protocol. Renfrow isn’t in the long-term plans for this team, so Vegas should consider trading him to a team better suited to utilize his skills. While Hunter Renfrow is far from the second coming of Calvin Johnson, he should have several interested teams on the trade market.
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5 Teams That Could Trade For Hunter Renfrow
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots love their quick passing game, and their offense is at its best when they have a reliable slot receiver capable of getting open fast and moving the chains. Juju Smith-Schuster was supposed to be that player, as Bill Belichick effectively chose him over Meyers in free agency. However, after three games, that appears to have been a poor decision. The former Steeler and Chief has not played well, recording 10 receptions for a measly 66 yards while losing playing time to sixth-round pick Demario Douglas. New England’s offense desperately needs a reliable veteran wide receiver, and a Hunter Renfrow trade might be their best solution at this point in the season.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is reportedly week-to-week with a shoulder injury, which means he should be back on the field before long. However, this is the NFL, so he’s not going to be 100% when he’s back under center. Chances are, Carr won’t be able to stretch the field like he used to, which means he’ll need to have a reliable option underneath that can help move the chains and get open quickly. While Michael Thomas can fill that role, he’s an injury waiting to happen, and Carr has a connection with Renfrow from his Raider days.
Derek Carr and Hunter Renfrow have that red zone chemistry 🎯
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Baltimore Ravens
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Baltimore Ravens could use another pass catcher. Mark Andrews has been his reliable self and rookie Zay Flowers has hit the ground running, but nobody has emerged as a reliable third option. Odell Beckham missed Week 3 with an ankle injury, and Rashod Bateman simply can’t get involved with the offense. A Hunter Renfrow trade would ensure that quarterback Lamar Jackson will have at least three reliable pass-catching options, and that is a need in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been one of the worst in the NFL, and they desperately need another wide receiver. With Diontae Johnson sidelined, Kenny Pickett has looked like one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league not named Zach Wilson. Perhaps the issue is that Pickett simply doesn’t have a reliable option in the short part of the field. George Pickens can make his highlight catches, but a Hunter Renfrow trade would ensure that Pickett would have a reliable checkdown option in case Pickens is out of the play.
New York Giants
The New York Giants quest for a reliable wide receiver is constantly ongoing. Through three games, only one receiver has more than 100 yards (Darius Slayton, 109) and more than 10 receptions (Parris Campbell, 11). Darren Waller’s reliable presence definitely helps the passing game, but why not get the band back together with a Hunter Renfrow trade? Waller and Renfrow clearly can produce in the same offense, and Daniel Jones could use a reliable option in the short game.
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