Oakland Raiders: 7 last-minute predictions ahead of the 2019 season
2. Hunter Renfrow will be the defined No. 2 receiver come the end of the season
This one, admittedly, is a little more convoluted, but a safe prediction to make.
In the last quarter of the season, Hunter Renfrow will lead anybody not named Antonio Brown in targets on the Oakland Raiders. It’s bound to happen, but it might take some time thanks to a recently reimagined receiving core.
Renfrow is an under-the-radar receiver who the Raiders selected with the 149th overall pick in this year’s draft. In three seasons with Clemson, Renfrow established himself as an ultra-reliable and consistent receiver.
Despite taking a backseat in his final season with Clemson, he was honored with the 2018 Burlsworth Trophy — an award given to the top college player to begin his career as a walk-on.
More from Las Vegas Raiders News
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- Raiders: Bryan Edwards out, Henry Ruggs doubtful for Sunday
- Raiders: Damon Arnette re-injures thumb, could be headed to IR
- Raiders fall short in letdown Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots
- Raiders: Game breakdown and prediction for Week 3 at New England Patriots
In this sense, Renfrow is the kind of player that knows all about having to pay his dues and contribute to the team any way he can. His demeanor and profile make him a great candidate to eventually elevate to the role of a top option for the staff.
Gruden will surely have Renfrow paying his dues before he’s given a real shot at competing for any higher leverage playing time. Brown will be the number one option whether it works or not. But the number two option is still conceivably up for grabs.
The Raiders invested in offseason pickups like Tyrell Williams, J.J. Nelson, and Ryan Grant, who they’ll give good looks at in the beginning of the season.
But after Renfrow earns his stripes, the positions will be up for grabs and Gruden will be looking for the best possible player to involve in the offense. That player will be Hunter Renfrow.
Ultimately, the Raiders will want to invest in and develop Renfrow moving forward, as he could wind up being a relatively pivotal piece in a pairing that involves him and Brown down the line.
The young receiver has plenty of potential and he’s been working hard this offseason to learn from one of the best receivers in the game, just like Conley has.
If Renfrow is able to get his shot and maintains that reliable nature of his, fortified by his good hands, then he should be a guy that Carr feels comfortable throwing to down the final stretch of the season.