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Steelers GM has interesting option at slot receiver
Hunter Renfrow. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers GM has interesting option at slot receiver who suddenly is available

Originally posted on Steeler Nation
By Parker Abate, Associate Editor  |  Last updated 3/13/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of wide receivers. The team legitimately has only two options under contract for 2024 after the trade of Diontae Johnson on Tuesday. George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are wondering what their room will look like once the regular season kicks off in September. Denzel Mims will be in the mix, but if one looks at it objectively, Pickens is the only somewhat-established and reliable option when it comes to the team's wide receivers. Moves will be made soon, and general manager Omar Khan will have his options. The vast majority of the fan base has called for Pitt graduate, Tyler Boyd.

There are some high-profile free agents at the position, such as Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown, but Boyd is an attractive option for a team like Pittsburgh. He has a connection to the local market, and has been stuck playing third-fiddle behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with the Cincinnati Bengals. He will have some bargaining power, and based on his decision to not sign anywhere yet, he may be asking for a good chunk of change that Khan isn't willing to pay.

There are some mid-tier options that could work better. Pittsburgh has plenty of money to spend, but it might be better used in areas like the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the safety and cornerback positions. A veteran receiver was released on Wednesday morning, and he could be the perfect fit within the Steelers offense as a slot wideout.

Hunter Renfrow's numbers, aside from 2021, won't pop out at anyone. On top of that, he's only started 23 of the 73 games he has competed in at the professional level. With that said, he would bring a lot to the locker room and might be exactly what someone like Pickens needs. Renfrow is a selfless and reliable option who was not used as much as he should have been with the Las Vegas Raiders.

There is no doubt that a guy like Boyd has better numbers and a career history of better production than Renfrow. However, Pittsburgh still has plenty of needs, and a veteran slot receiver doesn't have to come with a past history of dominance as a pass-catcher. Renfrow will not only come as a less expensive option, but he is a bit younger than Boyd, allowing for a little more control for the future if desired by both parties.

While Austin may have to get more involved in the passing game, that could take away from his returning duties in the punting game. Renfrow had a successful stint of returning punts for the Raiders in 2020 and 2021. The prospect of him coming in and allowing the offense to use Austin's blazing speed without the special teams aspect being as much of a worry for him may be wise.

While the Steelers have decided to already have an uncharacteristic offseason, that doesn't mean every single move will be earth-shattering. Bringing Renfrow aboard on an extremely team-friendly deal would be a casual, but effective veteran signing to help the receiving core. Regardless of whoever comes in, mentorship for Pickens will be very important.

Steelers have plenty of work to do at the wide receiver position

Moving on from Johnson will certainly be looked at as a positive because of his unique ability to create distractions within the locker room and media. Now, though, the team needs to back up the trade with multiple moves to rejuvenate the position. Renfrow wouldn't be flashy, but he would be much less expensive than Boyd, a little younger and bring a solid veteran presence.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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