Free agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has yet to draw much interest on the open market. A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Clemson product established himself as a reliable depth option early in his career before breaking out in 2021. Appearing in all 17 games, Renfrow finished the season with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 targets. With his help, Vegas made it to the playoffs as the wide receiver earned a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
Unfortunately, the wheels soon fell off the wagon. Renfrow stumbled down the depth chart under head coach Josh McDaniels and continued his unceremonious descent when Jakobi Meyers signed in 2023. Perhaps Hunter Renfrow will never recapture the magic of his Pro Bowl season, but the free agent can still help the right team. McDaniels doesn’t have the best history of getting the most out of his players, so a change of scenery could bring out the 2019 and 2020 versions of Renfrow.
Will Hunter Renfrow Find A Free Agent Home?
New Orleans Saints
Easily the most likely team on this list, the New Orleans Saints make perfect sense as a free agent destination for Hunter Renfrow. Derek Carr had an inconsistent first season in the Big Easy, but the team is stuck with him for at least one more season. With that in mind, they might as well make him as comfortable as possible. Renfrow and Carr have a strong rapport from their Raiders days, and New Orleans needs someone to fill the Michael Thomas role.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are doing everything in their power to find a reliable starter opposite George Pickens. While the team aimed for DK Metcalf and Courtland Sutton, they might have to settle for signing Hunter Renfrow as a free agent. With Diontae Johnson now in Carolina, somebody must step up as the short and intermediate threat in this offense. Renfrow is a downgrade from Johnson, but the one-time Pro Bowler remains a reliable route runner who should quickly establish a rapport with Russell Wilson.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones has to sign somebody at some point, right? The Cowboys owner knows that Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons are due for massive extensions, so he doesn’t want to spend big on top players. Hunter Renfrow, however, shouldn’t break the bank and is comfortably in the Cowboys free agent budget. With Lamb capable of doing everything and Brandin Cooks still possessing decent speed, Renfrow can step in as the slot option and help move the chains as the third or fourth option in the passing attack.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers need as many wide receivers as they can find. There isn’t a single proven weapon in this offense, and second-round pick Ladd McConkey is the only player with above-average upside in 2024. While some players have decent long-term hopes, Los Angeles could use a proven option for the upcoming season. Hunter Renfrow is a low-risk free agent whose ability near in the intermediate part of the field should mesh well with Greg Roman’s play-action heavy scheme.
Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice will serve a major suspension in 2024, which means the Chiefs will need another receiver. While Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy have home run potential, Kansas City should invest in a free agent like Hunter Renfrow who can be more of a possession receiver. Renfrow isn’t as good as Rice, but a great quarterback like Patrick Mahomes could bring out the best in the former Raider.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA Today Sports
