Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow started the 2019 season slowly, but it didn’t take him long to show he belonged. Once he had to miss games, it was clear he was now a key cog of the Oakland Raider offense.
A lowly fifth round pick should not be expected to do much in their rookie season, but for some reason, Renfrow was immediately penned as Oakland’s slot receiver. He had a fine career at Clemson, there’s no denying that. However, there’s a day and night difference between college and pro football. It can take some players years to make the transition and some talented prospects might not even pan out in the NFL.
Despite not making an immediate impact, Renfrow was thrown into the mix and by Week 8 against the Texans, he broke out.
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The wide receiver became a steady contributor until he had a rib injury against the Jets. He had to miss the rest of the game and was inactive for three more. Coincidentally, the Raiders lost those four games, but as a smart Twitter user pointed out, Oakland won once they had Renfrow back in the lineup. Coincidence? We think not.
Against the Chargers, Renfrow caught seven passes for 107 yards, averaged 15.2 yards per reception and scored a 56-yard touchdown. It seems as if he hadn’t missed any time and without a doubt, it was his finest outing of the season.
Slant and go… and go… and gone.@renfrowhunter puts six on the board. #OAKvsLAC pic.twitter.com/9V0l77xHBf
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 22, 2019
Renfrow has become an essential contributor for the Raiders and even if he isn’t a wide receiver that offensive coordinators lose their sleep over, he can be a difference maker when he is used in conjunction with fellow rookie Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller.
Renfrow is by no means a featured receiver, but the Raiders greatly benefit more from having him than not.
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