Free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has been unsigned all season following his final year with the Las Vegas Raiders, which saw him catch 25 passes for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023. The former Clemson wideout posted 1,038 receiving yards in 2021 but battled through injuries in 2022 and never returned to form. Renfrow's name came up as a potential target for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team lost Chris Godwin (ankle) to a serious ankle injury. However, Bucs insider Greg Auman checked on the situation and said he'd classify Renfrow as "retired" rather than "unsigned." Renfrow has not formally announced his retirement, but it could explain why he has not joined an organization in any capacity this season. If Renfrow has played his last snap in the NFL, he will finish with a total of 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns across 73 career games.
According to Brad Stainbrook of the Orange and Brown Report, the Cleveland Browns aren't interested in signing free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. There was talk Cleveland would look to sign the wideout, considering his ties to quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, that isn't the case, although Stainbrook believes both sides could "revisit" things once training camp draws closer. Renfrow had logged five seasons with the Raiders after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He appeared in 73 games for the club, amassing 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his production declined in the last few seasons. At any rate, Renfrow might get some calls from teams around the National Football League over the summer. But he has a way to go before earning a spot on fantasy rosters.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns could consider signing free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. However, Cabot added that Cleveland might only sign the 28-year-old if Deshaun Watson, his former collegiate teammate, requests it. Renfrow played his entire career with the Raiders before the team released him in March in a cost-cutting move. His best season was in 2021 when he had 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. But his production declined significantly over the last few seasons. With that said, the Browns already have Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy on the roster, meaning there may not be enough targets for others. Yet, Renfrow has a rapport with Watson, so he could be capable of playing better than he did at the end of his tenure in Vegas.
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing wide receiver Hunter Renfrow when the new league year begins later on Wednesday, according to a source. Renfrow was to count $13.7 million against the 2024 salary cap. Along with Renfrow, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is being released, as expected. The move to cut Renfrow saves the Raiders $8.21 million in cap space this year. The 28-year-old veteran had a career year in 2021 by catching 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, but he had just 61 combined receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games the last two years, making him an easy salary cap casualty this year. Depending on what other additions Vegas makes at the receiver position, Tre Tucker currently stands to benefit as the team's No. 3 wideout with the subtraction of Renfrow, behind top receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
The Athletic's Tashan Reed suggests that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is a cut candidate this offseason. Renfrow was excellent in 2021, was named a Pro Bowler and was rewarded with a two-year, $32.3 million contract extension the following offseason that felt like a no-brainer at the time. But the extension has aged poorly. Renfrow couldn't stay healthy in 2022, played a career-low 35 percent of the offensive snaps last year, and has made just 61 catches since signing his extension. The Raiders would save around $8.1 million while taking a dead-money hit of $5.5 million if they cut or trade Renfrow before June 1. If they cut or trade him after June 1, they'll free up $11.8 million in salary cap space for 2024 while taking a dead-money hit of $1.8 million this year and a dead-money hit of $3.6 million in 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had zero catches on zero targets in the Week 6 win against the New England Patriots. It was the second time this season that Renfrow did not receive a single target. After catching one of two targets for seven yards in Week 5, Renfrow was completely uninvolved in the offense. The emergence of rookie tight end Michael Mayer has made it even more challenging for Renfrow to get involved. The usage of the former Pro Bowl wide receiver has been questionable, and it appears his future with the Raiders is also in doubt. Sources claim that Renfrow has been available on the trade block, and the team may move on from him. His usage may change with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer filling in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, but it is unlikely. Despite a great matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, Renfrow should not be rostered by fantasy managers, given his role in the offense.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had one reception for seven yards on two targets in Monday's contest against the Green Bay Packers. Renfrow has not seen more than four targets and has not caught more than two passes this season. After making the Pro Bowl in 2021, the Raiders receiver is an afterthought in Josh McDaniels' offense. Renfrow and the Raiders face the New England Patriots on Sunday. Renfrow's path to getting more opportunities does not seem apparent in this matchup. New England's defense is not as strong as it once was, giving up 72 points in the past two weeks. If the Raiders pull out to a lead, Josh Jacobs could get over 20 carries to run out the clock. The Raiders also involved rookie tight end Michael Mayer more in the offense last week. Renfrow could be the fourth or fifth option for the offense. Renfrow should not be rostered by fantasy managers, given his target share and usage through the first five games this season.
Hunter Renfrow Remains Uninvolved In Win Over Packers
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has become an afterthought in the passing game with Jakobi Meyers in town in 2023. While Meyers went off for seven catches, 75 yards and his third touchdown of the season in the 17-13 win over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, Renfrow caught one of his two targets for a seven-yard gain. The 27-year-old played just 19 of 64 offensive snaps on the night and he has just six catches for 59 yards and no touchdowns through the first five weeks of the season. Even when Meyers missed Week 2 with a concussion, Renfrow caught just one pass for 23 yards. There's nothing to suggest his usage is going to change anytime soon, so Renfrow belongs on the waiver wire.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had two receptions for 12 yards on four targets in Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. Renfrow's four targets are the most he's seen through four games, eclipsing his previous high of two in Week 3. With the big three of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Josh Jacobs seeing most of the passing game usage, Renfrow has yet to have a decent fantasy game. Adams has not practiced the past two days and is currently questionable for the game on Monday night. If Adams misses, Renfrow could be in line for increased usage. That said, Renfrow did not step up in the absence of Meyers in Week 2, so it would be unwise to assume he would step up now. The 27-year-old receiver has run 83 routes and only earned a target on 8.4% of those routes. Renfrow should not be rostered by fantasy managers, given his target share and usage through the first four games this season.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had two receptions for 17 yards on two targets in Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Renfrow's two targets are the most he's seen through three games after receiving one target in Week 2 and zero in Week 1. Only Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Josh Jacobs are seeing consistent passing game usage for the Raiders. Even in Week 2, with Meyers missing the game with a concussion, Renfrow only saw one target on 19 routes run. Renfrow should not be rostered by fantasy managers, given his target share and usage through the first three games this season.