Raiders offense: Tre Tucker, the breakout that never was

Speedy wide receiver had flashes but wasn’t consistently involved or productive in Year 2

Pop quiz, Raider Nation: Which wide receiver had the most snaps for the Las Vegas Raiders this past season?

With 984 snaps in 2024, the answer is Tre Tucker.

That workload gives the 23-year-old the third most snaps on offense for Las Vegas as left tackle Kolton Miller paced the group with 1,075 snaps (out of 1,123 total snaps) good for nearly 96 percent of the team’s total. And right tackle Delmar Glaze finished second with 998 snaps (nearly 89 percent).

Tucker’s participation rate bested phenomenal rookie tight end Brock Bowers (956 offensive snaps) and productive wideout Jakobi Meyers (898), yet, the receiver’s production was severely lacking in his second year compared to the aforementioned skill positions.

Tre Tucker: By The Numbers

• Games: 17 total, 14 starts
• Snaps: 984 on offense (nearly 88 percent of team’s total); 22 on special teams (5 percent)
• Receiving: 81 targets, 47 receptions, 539 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Rushing: 9 carries, 44 yards, 1 touchdown
• Returns: 8 punt returns, 72 yards

The speedy wide receiver had flashes of big-play ability but despite the high volume of snaps, wasn’t consistently productive or involved and it became a Year 2 breakout that never was.

That play above was a beautiful design, wasn’t it? Get Tucker in motion that allowed him to hit top speed faster and he took the top off the Kansas City Chiefs defense for the 58-yard touchdown. But that was Tucker’s lone target of the game, although he did have one carry for 11 yards.

That touchdown catch marked three Tucker had all year and the 58-yard catch and run was the longest play of his 2024 campaign. He did have a 54-yard catch against the Carolina Panthers. Coincidentally, that was one of his more productive games as the third-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft saw nine targets and turned them into seven receptions for 96 yard and a touchdown.

Tucker got similar looks against the Denver Broncos in the AFC West foes’ second go-around of the year and was targeted eight times. That turned into seven catches for 82 yards.

But throughout the year, there were plenty of dud moments. Too many, really. But that was a byproduct of a Raiders offense that languished with both offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and interim play caller Scott Turner. Not to mention the quarterback play being amiss between Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder.

Hence why this offseason is integral for Tucker and the entire Silver & Black offense.

A play caller the likes of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has potential to exponentially increase the effectiveness of the Raiders firepower. Las Vegas needs more competition in the quarterback room, and having the sixth overall selection in the 2024 rendition of the draft this April may help do that. But it’s Johnson’s creativity along with play calling acumen that makes him a hot candidate for not only the Raiders job, but for other openings in this offseason hiring cycle.

An offensive mind that can get maximum return on investment (ROI) from Tucker — be it Johnson or someone else — can bolster an air attack led by Bowers and Meyers. Someone who can turn the flashes into sustained fireworks is a must. And until then — perhaps even after the Raiders finalize the coaching staff (and general manager) this offseason — it’s prime to wonder if Tucker is a starter in 2025.

Adding more talent to the wide receiver room in either the free agency, draft, or undrafted free agency can amplify competition and it’s fair to wonder if Tucker can carve out 14 starts in 17 games in ensuing seasons. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Tucker does have the size, suddenness, and speed to shine in the slot or outside. Thus making him a valuable piece if/when Las Vegas deploys three-wide receiver sets.

Speaking of ROI, it’ll be curious to see if the incoming regime deems Tucker a weapon on special teams, namely the return units. He did plenty of that kind of work during his collegiate days at Cincinnati and it’s been fleeting at best in the pros.

In his two seasons, Tucker’s garnered just eight punt returns for a total of 72 yards (a long of 21) — all coming in 2024. He’s got the same skillset and electrifying speed as the similarly built Jacoby Ford brought to the Silver & Black 2010 (1,280 kick return yards on 53 attempts and three touchdowns) and 2011 (341 yards and one touchdown on 11 kick returns) and Tucker should get to take a crack at both kick off and punt returns in 2025.