Hunter Renfrow Is Better Than Terry McLaurin
Everyone who is familiar with the site at this point knows I’m not a Terry McLaurin guy. I don’t think the guy sucks or anything. We just have to adjust our expectations is all I’m saying. In a draft that featured Deebo Samuel, AJ Brown, and DK Metcalf (in that order which is EXACTLY what I predicted) McLaurin isn’t close. I would just like to also take it a step further. Hunter Renfrow is better than Terry McLaurin too.
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com today put out one of those stupid NFL re-draft posts. Some people like them and I get it. I just personally can’t read them because I get too angry about being the most correct without ever being credited for it. This time for whatever reason I read it because sometimes it slips your mind about how many truly great receivers were in that draft.
I just think it’s only fair of me to mention the fact that we have to put Hunter Renfrow ahead of Terry McLaurin on that list. Maybe Renfrow wasn’t better right away, but he is now. McLaurin is just more naturally athletic. We get it. The guy that Renfrow has developed into? Oh, yeah you’re going to want him way more long term.
We can do the stats thing and that’s fine. I’m good with it because Renfrow had more catches and touchdowns on fewer targets if we want to play that game. It doesn’t need to be played. We can do the same thing for the McLaurin proponents that want to suggest they have no quarterback so it’s not fair. The bottom line is Renfrow gets open way more than McLaurin does. On that occasion when the ball is thrown their way, good things happen to Refrow way more than when the same is said about McLaurin.
It’s not debatable.
For what it’s worth, I’m not sure we should end the list right there. If Diontae Johnson could catch are we going to pretend he’s not better? If Parris Campbell was healthy are we going to pretend he might not be better? If Marquise Brown wasn’t drafted by a team that employs Lamar Jackson are we sure he’s not better too? I know for sure there is no chance McLaurin is better than Renfrow.
To just call Renfrow a slot guy at this point is disrespectful. If we’re being totally honest; I’m not sure how many total receivers in the league I’d rather have. He’s that good. The former Clemson product ranked 5th in the NFL at creating separation (2.14 yards) and 2nd in catch rate (80.5%). If you want to compare how McLaurin stacks up, don’t worry, he’s sitting at a solid 90th in separation (1.26 yards) and 69th in catch rate (58.8%).
Don’t try to tell me McLaurin is better. He might be able to run faster but he sure as shit isn’t a better receiver. Watch my guy go to work here in the red zone. For the record, Renfrow has never once in his life up until this moment dropped a single red zone target. Guy is reliable more than anybody else in a situation that doesn’t favor him because of his size.
We have been over this a million times. If you can’t get open, I’m not interested. N’Keal Harry never got open. Neither did JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Neither did any of the other tall jump ball receivers like Hakeem Butler that you try to sell me on every year. Give Hunter Renfrow his damn respect. Trying to suggest McLaurin is better doesn’t sit well with me.
