The Carolina Panthers have been very active during NFL free agency.
They may not be finished just yet. According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Carolina hosted free agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on a visit this past Wednesday.
Renfrow will also visit his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, on Friday. He was a fifth-round pick by Las Vegas in 2019, playing for them through the 2023 season. He quickly developed into one of the better slot WRs in the league, catching 105 passes for 1,261 yards and six touchdowns during his first two years.
Then in 2021, Renfrow had a breakout season with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection and a two-year, $32 million contract extension. Unfortunately, his career then took a turn for the worse. Renfrow suffered a concussion in Week 2 of the 2022 season, costing him seven games.
In 2023, Renfrow fell out of favor with the Raiders' coaching staff. He was active for all 17 games, but only made three starts. He caught just 25 passes for 255 yards and zero TDs that year, leading to his release in the offseason. Puzzlingly, Renfrow was unable to land with a team in 2024 despite being just 28-years-old.
Now 29, he's looking to make a comeback after having a year off. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Renfrow isn't physically imposing, but he is an excellent route runner and has good hands. The production he put up during his first three seasons isn't a fluke. Factors such as his concussion, poor quarterback play, and a weak coaching staff can be attributed to his decline.
The Panthers could still use some help at WR. One thing to consider is that they already have Adam Thielen, who is a similar player to Renfrow. However, Renfrow could make for good depth, and if he plays well he could potentially take over Thielen's role in 2026.
