Oakland Raiders: Hunter Renfrow a perfect fit in wide receiver corps

The Oakland Raiders used a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Hunter Renfrow and the former Clemson receiver is a fantastic fit in this offense.

Much of what the Oakland Raiders did in the 2019 NFL Draft has been under heavy scrutiny. This is especially the case in regards to their three first-round selections, most pointedly taking Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall pick. However, in the late rounds, new general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden did some great work, which is especially true in regards to Ferrell’s Clemson teammate, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

The Raiders selected Renfrow in the fifth round, the 149th overall pick, after a productive four-year career with the Tigers. In his four collegiate seasons, Renfrow notched 186 catches, 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns. No, he wasn’t tearing up box scores, but he was a valuable cog in the offense, something that will continue with the Raiders.

When you look at Renfrow, he’s not a wholly impressive physical specimen. The wideout measured in at just 5-10, 184 pounds with sub-eight-inch hands. On top of that, he registered just a pedestrian 4.59-second 40-yard dash time. When you go to the film, though, you see where Renfrow shines.

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Working out of the slot and in the middle of the field, Renfrow is a technician with his footwork and route-running, consistently finding space and holes in the defense to create throwing lanes. And while his hand size might be extremely subpar by NFL standards, there is no receiver in the 2019 rookie class with more consistent hands than the new Raider.

This offseason, it was clear that the Raiders wanted to improve the offense around Derek Carr. Chief among those improvements were the trade that netted them Antonio Brown and the signing of Tyrell Williams. The outside combo of Brown and Williams should dramatically improve Carr’s chances for success, but the wide receiver corps as a whole didn’t have anyone — outside of Brown and his versatility — well-versed at working out of the slot.

With Renfrow added to the equation, though, that changes. Not only does he alone give the Oakland offense a player capable of demanding attention in the middle of the field and getting his own work, but the threat that he provides when he’s on the field subsequently opens things up for Brown and Williams on the outside.

Of course, much of the Raiders’ potential offensive success in 2019 hinges on the play of Carr, which has been a rollercoaster ride over the past few seasons. While that may be the case, Mayock and Gruden have clearly made a concerted effort to give the quarterback all of the tools that he needs to succeed.

Without question, Renfrow is a part of that equation. And whether or not Carr is the long-term answer, the Clemson product’s fit between Brown and Williams sets the Oakland receiving corps up for long-term success.