Two years ago, the Las Vegas Raiders had one of the best wide receiver rooms in the league, but of course, that was before we saw how bad the offense would be. As long as Josh McDaniels was in town, the roster on paper did not matter.
Regrettably, it wasn't a smooth ride for one of those talented receivers. Hunter Renfrow, a once 1,000-yard receiver, found himself on the fringes. His stats may not paint a pretty picture now, but he was the one left grappling in a struggling offense. While Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers continued to shine last season, Renfrow grappled with the challenge of getting the ball thrown his way.
He performed when it was thrown his way, showcasing his exceptional route-running skills and ability to make crucial catches in tight coverage. His performance in these situations was a testament to his talent and potential.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Renfrow and the Raiders soured under the leadership of Josh McDaniels and his offensive strategy. This led to the inevitable parting of ways when the offseason arrived, with the Raiders releasing Renfrow and offering him a chance at a fresh start elsewhere.
With the 2024 NFL season approaching, we could see Renfrow sign elsewhere pretty soon. He is still a free agent, and some very wide receiver-needy teams are out there. He has a lot in the tank but needs the right opportunity to prove himself. This is one of the better route runners we have seen over the last few years, as he has a knack for getting open in tight spaces.
So, with that being said, we looked at the best possible landing spots for the former Raiders' weapon. Here are three teams that would be perfect for Renfrow:
The Buffalo Bills lost Stefon Diggs via trade to the Houston Texans and Gabe Davis via free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That really leaves Josh Allen with two great tight ends, a rookie wide receiver in Keon Coleman, and a few guys who don't have enough experience to be great.
They need another receiver, and a slot guy who catches the ball when it's thrown his way would be perfect. Getting Renfrow wouldn't fix what they have lost, but it would make their situation better than it currently is, as they still have a Super Bowl window open with Josh Allen; they just have to give him weapons.
ESPN already wrote a best-fits article and named Hunter Renfrow for the Steelers, and I can't agree more. Outside of the Bills, I believe that the Steelers would be a great fit for the slot guy. Let's look at it this way: In order to give Russell Wilson the best chance to succeed, you need to have as many weapons around him as possible. They traded away Diontae Johnson and could look to add another weapon. Here is what ESPN had to say about the fit:
Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers. Diontae Johnson has been traded to the Panthers, and while the Steelers signed Van Jefferson, the former Rams wideout hasn’t been effective for most of his pro career. Renfrow would compete with Calvin Austin for reps as the team’s third receiver and return man.
This offseason, it appears the Bengals could lose their tag of having the best wide receiver trio in the league. Tyler Boyd may be on the move to another team, and it looks like that team may be the Tennessee Titans. Their current slot receiver would likely be Trenton Irwin if he does not return.
I don't know about you, but it sounds like the position could be upgraded. Renfrow would not only be cheap, but he could come in and give you starter-level play, which is what the Bengals will need for Joe Burrow.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!