What does Hunter Renfrow being extended mean for the Las Vegas Raiders?
What does Hunter Renfrow being extended mean for the Las Vegas Raiders?
How does Renfrow mesh with the rest of the Raiders’ offense?
For the last handful of years, Derek Carr has been one of the most accurate deep ball quarterbacks in the National Football League. In the years 2016-2018, Carr had the third-highest accuracy deep when hitting a receiver in stride, and in 2020, Carr’s accuracy on 20+ yard passes ranked the third-highest.
We know Carr likes to let it fly, especially these days. In 2021, only Tom Brady tossed the football 20+ yards more times than Derek Carr.
In saying all of this, Hunter Renfrow is not the guy who’s going to excel as a deep ball guy – He’s the slot machine who makes his money either over the middle or on shorter designed routes. With that presence over the middle, he’s exactly the type of player that will make deep threats as Davante Adams, Demarcus Robinson, and even Darren Waller have many more open looks down the field.
Of course, the reverse is also true; Players like Adams and Waller command so much respect that they’ll make it easier for Renfrow to get open underneath. If you’re more worried about Adams and Waller downfield, the former Clemson Tiger will make you pay underneath. Likewise, if your focus is on Renfrow, Adams or Waller will feast. Pick your poison, as they say.
The beauty of Renfrow’s game is, that he understands where to be when his quarterback is in trouble. When Carr needs someone to get open in a pinch, the 26-year-old knows where he needs to get to for a pass from Carr to have the highest chance of being compelte. Guys like Julian Edelman and Jordy Nelson have constructed fancy careers possessing this type of football IQ. Renfrow can be next.
Safety blanket, Third and Renfrow, Slot mMchine, or Number 13. Call him what you will, but for the next three seasons, he’ll be called a Raider.