Who Should I Start? Hunter Renfrow or Arian Smith

Friday, May 2, 12:30 PM

New Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow didn't play at all in 2024 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders while being treated for ulcerative colitis, which caused him to drop from 185 pounds to 150 pounds. Renfrow had a stretch of seven straight days with a fever of 103 degrees, and the 29-year-old wondered if he'd ever play football again after disappointing seasons in both 2022 and 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 by catching a career-high 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns but took a month off after the Pro Bowl because he felt "kind of tired." Renfrow signed a two-year, $32 million deal the next offseason, right before he started feeling really bad. The good news is he's back up to 185 pounds and will try to provide receiving depth in Carolina behind Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen and rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan in 2025.

Thursday, May 8, 8:14 AM

The New York Jets will get rookie wide receiver Arian Smith involved in "smoke routes and jet sweeps to utilize his speed early and ease him into the offense," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Smith had an issue with drops at the University of Georgia, but his speed and playmaking ability are undeniable. During his senior season, he caught 48 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns. The Jets' wide receiver depth chart is difficult to project at the moment, but the door remains open for Smith to surpass Malachi Corley and Tyler Johnson for the No. 4 receiver role to open the season. His role could grow even further if the Jets decide to trade wide receiver Allen Lazard to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has been rumored as a possibility if Aaron Rodgers decides to don the black and gold.