Sure, plenty of candidates are already on the roster, and we recently dove into who the Vikings want to win the job, but what about players on other teams? Or, in this case, what about unsigned free agents looking to prove the rest of the NFL wrong after being overlooked for so long?

Free agency started back in March, yet here we are, in August, and there are still several notable names looking for a job, including former Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl wideout Hunter Renfrow.

Renfrow recently became the focus of The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, who’s urging the Vikings to sign the 5-foot-10, 185-pound receiver.

“If O’Connell’s run game remains similar to that of the last couple of years, Renfrow isn’t the requisite big body needed at WR3. But he can win in one-on-one coverage and could easily master the team’s choice-route concepts from the slot. Minnesota might be better off adding defensive depth, but leaning further into its pass-first identity could lead to Renfrow.”

Alec Lewis on Hunter Renfrow fitting the Minnesota Vikings

Lewis also rattled off several other unsigned free agents the Vikings should target, but none of the names are bigger than Renfrow.

• Hunter Renfrow stats (career): 269 receptions, 2,884 receiving yards, 17 TD

As a former fifth-round pick, Renfrow has already exceeded all expectations as an NFL pro, but he’s still just 28 years old, meaning he could still have several years of peak performance left. The issue is, we haven’t seen Renfrow at his best for the past two seasons now.

But back in 2021, Renfrow earned a Pro Bowl nod thanks to racking up 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 receptions. That came after consecutive 600-yard-plus receiving seasons. His early work led to a two-year, $32 million contract back in 2022.

Yet, once Renfrow’s production slipped to the point of gaining just 330 and 255 yards across his past two seasons, the Raiders moved on, releasing their former slot receiver from the roster. While there’s no telling how much he has left in the tank, Renfrow has at least shown an ability to play at a very high level.

The Vikings have nothing to lose by bringing Renfrow in for a workout to see what he’s still capable of, but his age suggests there should be plenty of tread left on the tires.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Know Who They Want to Win the WR3 Job

Osborn played for the Vikings for the last 4 NFL seasons where he cemented himself as a solid wide receiver No. 3 behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen from 2020 – 2022 and Jefferson and Jordan Addison in 2023.

Although the Vikings re-signed Brandon Powell and signed Trent Sherfield this offseason, both of them have played in limited capacity in recent years. Could both Powell and Sherfield cement themselves as wide receiver No. 3 in training camp?

They both very much could, however, one prominent NFL insider and writer for ESPN wants the Vikings to sign former Las Vegas Raiders’ wide receiver and current unrestricted free agent Hunter Renfrow.

Hunter Renfrow joining the Minnesota Vikings?

Although the Minnesota Vikings haven’t signed Renfrow, Bill Barnwell of ESPN thinks the Vikings should absolutely ‘take a flier’ on Renfrow.

According to @billbarnwell, of his 10 post-NFL draft signings or trades, he thinks the #Vikings should sign former #Raiders and current FA WR Hunter Renfrow to fill the WR3 role 👀

“The Vikings brought in Trent Sherfield this offseason and could expand Brandon Powell's role, but… pic.twitter.com/IY2re0F6Jx

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 14, 2024

The Raiders unsurprisingly cut Renfrow after the season. I wouldn’t expect him to land much more than a one-year deal for just over the minimum at this point of free agency, but at that price tag, taking a flier on the 28-year-old seems like a reasoned move. He also returned punts during his time with Vegas, which helps if he’s going to be a fourth or fifth wideout on game day.

What about the Vikings? They’re set atop the depth chart with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but K.J. Osborn joined the Patriots and top tight end T.J. Hockenson is coming off a torn ACL. The Vikings brought in Trent Sherfield this offseason and could expand Brandon Powell’s role, but Renfrow has a much more productive season in his recent past than either player has had at any point during their respective careers. Renfrow would probably be competing with Powell for the third wideout and punt returner role in Minnesota, a battle he could win if given the opportunity.

NFL insider Bill Barnwell on why Minnesota Vikings should sign Hunter Renfroe (ESPN+)

Barnwell makes note of Renfrow’s breakout season in 2021, where he put up 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. However, his play dropped off significantly in the 2022 and 2023 season for various reasons.

The Raiders then cut Renfrow in March 2024, and Barnwell suggests he won’t cost more than a one-year deal for just over the minimum at this point of free agency. With a price tag like that, taking a flier on Renfrow seems like a logical move for the Vikings who could be looking to add depth to the wide receiver position or even punt return capabilities.

Hunter Renfrow’s 2023 stats

As mentioned above, Renfrow’s production dipped significantly after his breakout 2021 season. Renfrow managed only 255 yards and zero touchdowns off 25 receptions last season.

Hunter Renfrow rumors?

🤝

Hunter Renfrow Highlights.#SKOL
pic.twitter.com/ipBhmjttnz

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 14, 2024

His Pro Football Focus player grades weren’t great either posting a 48.6 overall grade and a receiving grade of 50.4. For reference, Powell finished with an overall grade of 61.7 and a receiving grade of 63.6. Night and day better than Renfrow, but was it exactly all his fault?

Hunter Renfrow’s potential outlook with Minnesota Vikings

Overall, Renfrow’s production was not great last season but a large part of that could be the Raiders quarterback situation. He also battled some injuries last season as well. Putting him in a better situation offensively could do wonders for his career and Minnesota has just that.

Not only that, at the cheap price point the Minnesota Vikings could sign him at, it could be worth a flyer for the team to sign Renfrow. It certainty sounds like Barnwell is in favor of that as well.