Hunter Renfrow is a wide receiver that the Raiders will not give up on trading, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The team attempted to deal Renfrow ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, but prospective teams were put off by the guaranteed money that was still attached to the slot man’s contract.
Raiders Will Keep Examining the Hunter Renfrow Market
But now, all that’s left over from Renfrow’s contract is his $11.15 million non-guaranteed basic salary. That price would be as unreasonable for an acquiring team as it would be for the Raiders, given that the Clemson product is coming off of two consecutive dismal seasons, but it should be relatively simple to rework the contract in order to facilitate a trade.
Furthermore, it makes sense that certain people will be interested in Renfrow’s services. The Jon Gruden–Mike Mayock draft pick showed promise in 2021 with a 103/1,038/9 line, which led to a Pro Bowl selection and a $32 million, two-year agreement in June 2022. Although that expenditure was approved by the now-deposed Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler team, Renfrow didn’t work well with McDaniels’ offence.
Midway through the 2023 season, shortly after Antonio Pierce replaced McDaniels, Renfrow displayed some glimmers of his previous form, including a three-game stretch in which he recorded 12 receptions for 126 yards. He finished the season with 25 catches for 255 yards, so those totals were roughly half of what he produced. However, during Weeks 16 through 18, he played in just 28 total snaps and was not targeted once.
Notwithstanding, Renfrow presents a compelling option for a team in need of a slot weapon due to his recent December 28th birthday and his proximity to Pro Bowl production.
According to Pierce last month, “[Renfrow is] an NFL-caliber wide receiver” (via Heavy.com). He is a primary wide receiver. He is an excellent football player.
Renfrow will be released by the Raiders if they are unable to locate a trade partner, according to Bonsignore (assuming that both parties are unwilling to agree on a wage drop). If Renfrow is cut with a pre-June 1 designation, Las Vegas will be required to pay a $5.5MM dead money charge because of void years in his deal; but, there would also be a $8.2MM cap savings.
