Hunter Renfrow And Darren Waller On Pace To Have Significant Roles In Raiders Offense

 

Ever since he signed his mega deal to return to the Raiders, Jon Gruden has been sniffing around for a reliable slot receiver.

A year ago, Ryan Switzer looked like he might be the guy, but Gruden somewhat unexpectedly shipped Switzer off to Pittsburgh just before the 2018 regular season opener. Seth Roberts and Jordy Nelson assumed the role from there, but neither were the long-term answer in the slot and both have since moved on from the Raiders.

Gruden brought in a veteran (Ryan Grant) and  rookie (Hunter Renfrow) to compete in the slot this year and according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Renfrow is already staking a strong claim on the job.

“Hunter Renfrow is out to a big lead on Ryan Grant,” Tafur wrote earlier this week. “Waller has looked great at camp, and what I keep hearing is that the Raiders defensive backs have no idea what to do with him. He’s too big and too fast for them.

As for Walker, it looks the only thing that can slow down the 26 year-old tight end might be durability – whether in the form of injuries or league discipline. Since serving his suspension in Baltimore, Waller has kept his nose clean and the Raiders defense has found no good answers to stop him in camp.

Michael Gehlken on Twitter

Raiders easing back TE Darren Waller from sprained AC joint in shoulder. He’s not expected to do much coming few days. Two joint practices vs. Rams start Wednesday. Exhibition on Saturday. Gruden said Waller’s involvement to increase afterward.

Waller is one of league’s best-kept fantasy football sleepers and should remain under the radar into the second week of preseason if he continues to be held back with a shoulder injury. It’s no secret that Derek Carr loves tight ends and the Raiders made exactly no effort to bring back Jared Cook, who was the team’s leading receiver a year ago?

Ted Nguyen on Twitter

Darren Waller kills Abrams on a double move for a TD. I have yet to see him lose a 1 on 1

Do you suppose Gruden has been scheming this Waller plan for a while now?

twitter: @raidersbeat

 

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