Tre Tucker, a 23-year-old wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders is not a household name, but the young pass-catcher has an opportunity to make a sophomore leap with the Raiders. A 2023 Round 3 pick acquired via a trade involving outgoing TE Darren Waller, Tre Tucker has had decent field exposure for a day-2 pick and could see more of the field in 2024.
Tucker is a speedy (4.40 combine 40) lightweight at 185 lbs. At 34% offensive snap share in 2023 (team 4th-best among WRs), Tucker saw the field slightly less than teammate Hunter Renfrow, who the Raiders have since released. Although used in special teams, Tucker was not relegated to return duty, leaving all of his current performance with the team as an offensive weapon. Tucker filled a gadget role, operating both as a rusher and a receiver. Tucker has turned 34 NFL targets into 19 catches for 331 career yards and two touchdowns. He added 77 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Tre Tucker 2024 Projections
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ESPN is currently projecting Tucker for 27 catches and 340 yards while FantasyPros puts him only at 25.6 catches for 305 yards. Neither projection paints a rosier year-2 picture. However, Tucker operated as the WR4 in the Raiders’ 2023 depth chart. Meanwhile, both ESPN and OurLads are projecting Tucker to start in 3-WR sets, a step up from last year.
Tucker will most likely be on the field for 11 personnel sets. His ascension up the depth chart is due both to the release of one-time thousand-yard WR Renfrow and veteran Michael Gallup announcing retirement. However, the situation is still thorny, as the Raiders brought in veteran Jalen Guyton from the Chargers and drafted TE Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft. At 27, Guyton is aging out, but the team may prefer to trust his experience more than Tucker’s potential. Although Bowers won’t operate in the same role, his presence alongside Raiders’ 2023 Round 2 draft selection, Michael Mayer, most likely means Vegas will possibly lead the league in 12-personnel, limiting usage of 3-WR sets.
In addition to 2-TE sets, the entire offensive philosophy is subject to change under the new coaching regime of Antonio Pierce. Unlike with most coaching changes, we have the benefit of seeing how this team operates with the change. According to an article from Dynasty League Football, although the passing volume stayed relatively the same, the team became more run-focused overall, adding about five carries per game. There is an important caveat, however, as Pierce was 5-4 last year, but current odds according to DraftKings are 6.5 wins for the 2024 Raiders. If that is the case, then a trailing Vegas is much more likely to throw than continue feeding Zamir White.
Final Thoughts on Tre Tucker
A sophomore bump would put Tucker significantly ahead of ADP, which currently sits at WR-111 at FantasyPros. He is entirely free in home leagues. However, it’s important to remember that the new 2024 team under Pierce has two top-talent tight ends and heavily favored the ground game late last season with White. Even if Tucker takes a sophomore leap, it will be a combination of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell delivering sub-par passes.
The last picks of your draft are better bets on running backs with contingent upside. Tucker should only be drafted in the deepest leagues. He’s not skilled enough to overtake the team’s WR2 spot, but he is an injury away from seeing the field on nearly every down, making him an immediate free agent grab.
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