Las Vegas Raiders: Former 3rd Round Pick Tre Tucker Capable for Starting Role

The Las Vegas Raiders will look like a new offense despite retaining Head Coach Antonio Pierce, as Tre Tucker will be a player who is projected to be a new starter.

In goes Zamir White and out goes Josh Jacobs at running back. No more Jimmy Garoppolo, here comes Gardner Minshew unless Aidan O’Connell can maintain the starting quarterback job. First-round rookie Brock Bowers should help as a reliable, explosive pass catcher, along with second-year player Michael Mayer as a dynamic one-two punch at tight end.

With hopefully a better, or at least healthier offensive line, the former eight-win Raiders will look to improve from 2023, although it will prove to be difficult in the AFC West and the Kansas City Chiefs. A move involving Davante Adams is not imminent, so he and Jakobi Meyers are a solid wide-receiver duo still.

Second-year receiver Tre Tucker was explosive in his limited playing time as a rookie and will look to start in 2024. How will he play in 2024?

Tre Tucker Projected Starting Slot Wide Receiver

The former third-rounder from the 2023 NFL Draft made some splash plays as a role player only, as Tre Tucker was behind Hunter Renfrow before he was released this offseason. Now he will get a shot to start with the Adams and Meyers duo in Las Vegas. The speedster’s skillset complements both well as they are possession receivers and precise route runners with size.

Tucker lacks a wide catch radius and is more of a gadget-type player at 5’9” and 185 pounds. The 23-year-old has plenty of experience as a four-year player at Cincinnati and has shown he can make the most of his opportunities. Now whether or not that fits with Minshew or O’Connell’s arm strength is a different story and will be determined by the Raiders for 2024.

Former 3rd Round Pick from 2023 Main Deep Threat

Tre Tucker was one of the faster rookie wide receivers from the 2023 NFL Draft, as he was not always a full-time starter in college. With the Bearcats, he was an electric return man with two kickoff returns for touchdowns, and can do the same with the Raiders. He is projected to be their kick and punt return specialist, as he was not used that way last year as a rookie.

Las Vegas could use Tucker as a ball carrier on jet sweeps and designed carries or screens, as he can be dynamic with the ball in his hands. As a senior, he had 52 catches for 672 yards and three touchdowns as a big play threat. Tucker could be the forgotten man against defenses that account for their star wide receivers and tight ends under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

23-Year-Old Shined in Limited Action in 2023 as Rookie

In 16 games played and one as a starter in 2023, Tre Tucker had 19 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns. His best game was against the Denver Broncos in their final game, catching all five passes for 79 yards with a rushing attempt for 11 yards. This was in Week 18 for the Las Vegas Raiders, as he was able to start due to receiver injuries.

This could be just the start for Tucker, as he had a two-touchdown, three-catch game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 last year. The electrifying rookie had 59 receiving yards and gives the Raiders an element other receivers don’t bring to the table. Tucker could be the key to getting the passing game going for Las Vegas in 2024.