Still, the Broncos can help ease his adjustment to the NFL. They have an extensive roster of wide receivers. However, only a few of them are proved.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report feels a former Las Vegas Raider can help the Broncos in free agency.
“At some point, a team has to take a chance on receiver Hunter Renfrow, correct? “The 28-year-old has struggled the last two seasons, but he was a Pro Bowler with the Raiders in 2021,” Knox wrote on July 4. “The Denver Broncos should check into Renfrow. Denver is seeking to develop rookie quarterback Bo Nix and doesn’t have many proven pass catchers following Courtland Sutton.
“Denver’s passing game coordinator, John Morton, was a senior offensive assistant with the Raiders during Renfrow’s Pro Bowl year.”
Renfrow had 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns during his Pro Bowl season in 2021. He has 61 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns in the last two seasons, including a 25-255-0 line this season.
He was in the last season of a two-year, $32.3 million contract deal.
Renfrow was expected to count $13 million against the salary cap this season. The Raiders cut Renfrow in March to save $8 million.
Broncos add PFF’s No. 118 free agent player to their wide receiver room.
Knox also suggested that the Broncos could be a destination for three-time Pro Bowler Michael Thomas in free agency. Sean Payton, the Broncos’ head coach, is familiar with Thomas from their time with the New Orleans Saints.
However, one of the guys who appears to give some stability for the Broncos is projected to play a similar role on the field as Thomas.
“Reynolds does not have the best release package or the quickest jump off the line, but he has a good feel for where he is on the football field and is generally sure-handed,” Pro Football Focus stated on the receiver’s free agency status. “Typically a dependable go-to weapon on third and fourth downs. Reynolds also performs effectively in narrow splits against second-level linebackers and safeties as a run blocker.”
Thomas ranked just one spot higher.
“Thomas is still a smooth glider who can make contested catches with great hands and footwork along the sideline,” according to PFF. “He doesn’t quite have the same explosiveness of his heydays, but elite athleticism was never necessarily how he won as more of a master technician, so it’s all a question of health.”
Reynolds had 40 receptions for 608 yards with the Detroit Lions last season, tying his career best of five touchdowns.
He signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Broncos during free agency.
Thomas played in ten games, his most since the 2019 season. That could make Renfrow, who is three years younger, a better fit for this group than Thomas. However, the former Saints star is not the only potential roadblock between Renfrow and a roster berth with the Broncos.
Broncos Depth Could Work Against Hunter Renfrow.
The Denver Broncos are not anticipated to push for a postseason spot this season. This may work against a veteran like Renfrow who is seeking for a new home in free agency.
In addition to Nix, Denver hopes to develop many young players.
Payton stated that when Jerry Jeudy was moved to the Cleveland Browns, 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr. will play a larger role in the offensive scheme. Mims made the Pro Bowl as a rookie returner. If signed, he might play a similar position to Renfrow in Denver.
The Broncos also have veteran Tim Patrick seeking to rebuild himself after missing two seasons due to injuries.
They also selected Troy Franklin, Nix’s college teammate, in the fourth round of the 2024 draft.
Veterans Brandon Johnson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Phillip Dorsett, and youngster Devaughn Vele all offer in-house alternatives to the Broncos signing Renfrow in free agency. Even with training camp still to come, he may face a steep learning curve to catch up.
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