Las Vegas Raiders: Hunter Renfrow a key to success in 2021
By Brad Weiss
In the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Clemson wide receiver, Hunter Renfrow. A hero during his time with the Tigers, Renfrow was basically an afterthought after being drafted, as the team had brought in Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams to the wide receiver group that offseason.
Also, the big offensive star brought in was supposed to be Josh Jacobs, a first-round running back from Alabama. While Jacobs certainly lived up to his first-round billing, Renfrow played like a player who should have been drafted on Day 2, becoming a key weapon for Derek Carr and this Raiders offense.
Entering Year 3, Renfrow will be expected to continue on what has been a tremendous trajectory to start his career, as he is now one of the players Carr trusts the most when he drops back to pass.
Las Vegas Raiders got a steal with Renfrow in the fifth round
To say the Raiders got a steal when they drafted Renfrow in the fifth round would be an understatement, as he followed up a surprising rookie year by improving in Year 2 this Fall. Renfrow hauled in a wide receiver-best 56 passes while racking up over 650 yards through the air.
Sure, he only found the end zone twice, but his contributions went far behind scoring touchdowns, as he has been automatic on third down for the Raiders since joining the organization. He has racked up 30 or more touchdowns in each of his first two seasons and is starting to be a contributor for the Raiders on special teams.
If the Raiders are to make the playoffs next season, you can be sure that Renfrow is going to be in the middle of all the action.
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There are going to be new faces coming in at wide receiver once again this offseason, as the Raiders have to decide what to do with Nelson Agholor and Tyrell Williams. However, there is one player who seems to be the constant in terms of this position group, and it happens to be a fifth-round pick out of Clemson who has gained the trust of Derek Carr, and the love of Raider Nation.