The Minnesota Vikings have a top-heavy wide receiver group and an ailing tight end in T.J. Hockenson, making it an ideal situation to add a playmaker in the slot before training camp.
According to Aaron Schatz of ESPN, slot receiver is Minnesota’s most obvious roster void following the NFL draft.
“Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are an awesome team on the outside, but the Vikings’ receiving corps really falls off after those two,” Schatz stated on May 9. “Brandon Powell is set to start at slot receiver. He had an average DVOA on 44 targets in 2023, but his 324 receiving yards were a career high after six years in the league. Trent Sherfield caught only 11 receptions in Buffalo last season. Jalen Nailor has had 12 catches in two seasons for Minnesota. There are a lot of unknown names on this depth chart, and the Vikings would be the ideal team to contact an unsigned free agent.”
Given that free agency began more than two months ago, the list of available wideouts who meet the criteria isn’t particularly long. However, the market allows Minnesota to find a one- or two-year option at a reasonable price, and Hunter Renfrow meets the criteria.
Hunter Renfrow Has Struggled Since Pro Bowl Season in 2021
Renfrow, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, saw his stock skyrocket following the 2021 season. He had 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns that season, earning his first — and only — Pro Bowl selection.
When Josh McDaniels replaced disgraced head coach Jon Gruden, Renfrow’s career took a turn for the worse. In June 2022, the wide receiver signed a two-year, $32 million contract deal, but his production plummeted that season, owing in large part to injuries.
Renfrow appeared in only 10 games and made one start this season, totaling 36 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. In 2023, he played in all 17 regular-season games, starting three of them, although his totals dipped to 25 catches for 255 yards. Last season, Renfrow failed to reach the end zone for the first time in his five-year NFL career.
Injury to Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson May Provide More Chances for Player Like Hunter Renfrow
The Raiders released the 28-year-old wide receiver in March, freeing up approximately $8.2 million in salary cap space. Understandably, no team jumped at the opportunity to sign a player whose output has been in steep decline over the last two seasons as he approaches the age of 30.
However, Renfrow demonstrates the possibility for a successful reclamation project in the NFL. Renfrow, who was once a real prospect, is more than capable of filling the place as WR3 in Minnesota with the super-talented Jefferson and Addison.
Furthermore, the Vikings should be able to sign Renfrow to a team-friendly contract, resulting in the low-risk/high-reward scenario that organizations prefer. Renfrow might revitalize his career with favorable matchups generated by the problems Jefferson and Addison will provide opposing defenders.
Hockenson is still recovering from a major knee injury sustained in Week 16 of 2016 season and could be out until the start of the 2024 season. Even if the two-time Pro Bowl tight end returns, Renfrow will be valuable as a fourth option in a passing game led by a new quarterback — either Sam Darnold, rookie J.J. McCarthy, or a combination of the two — after Kirk Cousins left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
