One-time Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow is one of the biggest names left on the free agent market. A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Clemson product overcame his humble beginnings to establish himself as a reliable threat in the Raiders passing game. After a promising rookie and sophomore season, Renfrow came alive in 2021. Appearing in all 17 games, the wideout finished the year with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 targets while earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Unfortunately, the wheels quickly fell off the wagon. Hunter Renfrow didn’t do much of anything during his next two seasons and eventually lost his job to free agent signee Jakobi Meyers. Following a release, the former fifth-round pick has yet to latch on in a new home. That could change, however, as teams don’t have to give vested veterans like Renfrow guaranteed money after Week 1. Some team could sign him after the season starts, and the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers make the most sense.
Chargers, Saints Could Sign Free Agent Hunter Renfrow
The Los Angeles Chargers have arguably the NFL’s worst collection of wide receivers. Rookie second-round pick Ladd McConkey has promise and it’s too early to completely give up on 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston, but this depth chart lacks experienced veterans. Joshua Palmer is nothing special and DJ Chark has never recaptured his magical 2019 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hunter Renfrow probably won’t turn the clock back to 2021, but the free agent could provide plenty of value for this organization.
Hunter Renfrow and Ladd McConkey both project as slot receivers, but these players shouldn’t be too redundant in the short term. If McConkey can hit the ground running, then the Chargers won’t need to sign Renfrow. However, if he’s like 99% of the rookies out there, he’ll need time to adjust to life in the NFL. Even if McConkey starts, Renfrow can coach up the second-round pick while providing some much-needed depth for a team short on pass-catching talent. As a bonus, Renfrow should relish the opportunity to face off twice against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Familiarity In New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints enter a do-or-die season with a flawed roster. After continuously kicking the can down the road with little to show for it, head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr must get this team to the playoffs in 2024. Unfortunately for them, the offensive line is an outright disaster and could sink the whole operation, especially considering Carr’s struggles against pressure. Instead of rebuilding the offensive line overnight, New Orleans could sign Hunter Renfrow as a free agent to minimize the importance of adequate blocking.
At his best, Renfrow excels at quickly getting open off the line of scrimmage and providing an easy target for his quarterback. The Saints need someone for this role, as Michael Thomas is still a free agent and it’s hard to envision a reunion at this point of the offseason. Hunter Renfrow is probably the best free agent available for the job, and his familiarity with Derek Carr should mean that he won’t need much time to develop chemistry with the quarterback.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Slyvanie – USA Today Sports
