ESPN Writer says This Team Should Sign Renfrow

An ESPN writer believes this team should sign former Clemson star receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Bill Barnwell weighed in on 10 post-NFL Draft trades and signings that should happen (subscription required), and among those on Barnwell’s list is the Minnesota Vikings signing Renfrow.

Renfrow became a free agent after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders when the new league year began on March 13.

Renfrow was highly productive across his first three seasons with the Raiders, tallying 208 receptions for 2,299 yards and 15 touchdowns.

However, he caught only 36 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns across 10 games in 2022 while being limited due to injury, then had career lows with 25 catches, 255 receiving yards and no touchdowns over 17 games in 2023 — two years after his Pro Bowl 2021 campaign that saw him record career highs with 103 receptions, 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.

Following that 2021 season, Renfrow signed a two-year, $32 million contract extension in June 2022 including $21 million in guaranteed money.

Here’s what Barnwell had to say about why the Vikings should ink Renfrow:

Let’s hit a series of wide receiver moves, beginning with a player who has fallen badly out of favor over the past two seasons. Renfrow emerged as a valuable option out of the slot for the Raiders in 2021, but after signing an extension, injuries and the addition of Jakobi Meyers marginalized his spot in the lineup. After racking up 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, he has totaled 585 receiving yards and two scores combined over the past two seasons.

The Raiders unsurprisingly cut Renfrow after the season. I wouldn’t expect him to land much more than a one-year deal for just over the minimum at this point of free agency, but at that price tag, taking a flier on the 28-year-old seems like a reasoned move. He also returned punts during his time with Vegas, which helps if he’s going to be a fourth or fifth wideout on game day.

What about the Vikings? They’re set atop the depth chart with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but K.J. Osborn joined the Patriots and top tight end T.J. Hockenson is coming off a torn ACL. The Vikings brought in Trent Sherfield this offseason and could expand Brandon Powell’s role, but Renfrow has a much more productive season in his recent past than either player has had at any point during their respective careers. Renfrow would probably be competing with Powell for the third wideout and punt returner role in Minnesota, a battle he could win if given the opportunity.

Renfrow has posted 269 receptions for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns in 73 games over the first five years of his NFL career.

He was drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round (149 ^th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft following a legendary Clemson career during which he won two national titles while racking up 186 receptions for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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