2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year sleepers
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Redskins
Terry McLaurin is a name that many people outside of Ohio don’t really know. Although he didn’t put up staggering numbers or tons of electric, highlight-reel plays at Ohio State, McLaurin was a leader in the locker room and as steady as they come on the outside.
He was a rare senior coming out of the draft and was selected in the third round by the Washington Redskins following a senior season in which he caught 11 touchdown passes. Who threw him those touchdown passes? ‘Skins first-round pick Dwayne Haskins.
The chemistry between Haskins and McLaurin is there. McLaurin has already been impressive thus far in camp, exceeding Coach Jay Gruden’s expectations. He is a crisp route runner with reliable hands, and again, already familiar with his potential quarterback. If Haskins gets the nod early on as the starter for Washington, McLaurin could be a go-to, and the rookie tandem could excel quickly in their first season.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Oakland Raiders
Like McLaurin, Hunter Renfrow is an under-the-radar, senior receiver from a National Title winning school. Renfrow seems to have been at Clemson for six or seven years, always being a reliable target out of the slot for the Tigers. He even caught the game-winning touchdown in the 2017 National Championship Game from Deshaun Watson.
As an NFL prospect, Renfrow was not highly-touted. He never had more than 602 receiving yards or six touchdowns in a season in college. However, the Raiders took a chance on him in the fifth round of this year’s draft, and he seems to have fallen into a great position to contribute right away.
Joining a rebuilding team like the Raiders, Renfrow has the chance to start from the get as the slot receiver alongside offseason additions Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams. Wide receiver is a position that Oakland did a near-complete overhaul at, so they will be evaluating the position with fresh eyes looking for playmakers.
Renfrow should get the chance to prove himself as a reliable target over the middle in today’s slot-dominant NFL. With all the drama surrounding Antonio Brown right now, Renfrow’s target share could be on the rise.