Raiders: 2022 two-deep prediction for the offensive skill positions
Raiders: 2022 two-deep prediction for the offensive skill positions
Slot Machine: Hunter Renfrow
We’ve finally made it to the finish line, ending on another one of the givens – Hunter Renfrow will be the starting slot receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Renfrow, the Raiders’ WR2, signed an extension this off-season worth up to $32M through 2-years. If you were to ask Derek Carr, the Raiders’ coaching staff, or Raider Nation about this contract, you’d get the same answer from everyone: “Worth every penny.”
The former Clemson Tiger, who participated in the ’21 Pro Bowl, ended this last season with 1,038-yards through the air, totaling 103 receptions with 9 scores. 7 of Renfrow’s 9 touchdowns came after the bye-week, when the passing offense of the Silver and Black was at its worse, following the tragedy of the Ruggs’ incident.
Renfrow posted at least 9 receptions on six occasions during these final 10 contests, being the only bright spot in a disastrous passing offense. For his efforts, Renfrow was given a 2-year extension, effectively making him the 28th highest-paid receiver leaguewide; Not bad for a Clemson walk on drafted in the fifth-round.
What separates Renfrow from the pack is his elite route-running ability, specifically in the middle of the field. Good Morning Football’s Peter Shrager went as far as claiming the Raiders’ slot receiver may be the best route-runner in a 10-yard box through the entire league.
Renfrow, more commonly known as Slot Machine, looks to continue the success he’s had at the pro level. Now paired with a healthy Darren Waller, in addition to the back-to-back All-Pro Davante Adams, this shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for the first-down machine who continuously comes up big in key moments.