After the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders have added two new wide receivers to their team. The new additions are Michael Gallup. and Jalen Guyton. The team now has 11 wide receivers on the roster but will probably only keep five or six for the regular season.
Tre Tucker He was a third-round pick for the Raiders last season and showed potential as a deep threat. He averaged 17.4 yards per catch last season and is expected to improve in 2024. However, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes that Tucker doesn't have a future in Las Vegas. He listed the wide receiver as a candidate to be traded or released this offseason.
Ballentine wrote in a May 8 column that the Raiders should not release Tre Tucker. He mentioned that the 23-year-old showed potential last season and his speed is beneficial to the offense. Since he is on an affordable contract, it doesn't make sense to let him go for nothing in return. However, with the selection of Brock Bowers in the first round, Tucker may have a smaller role than initially anticipated before the draft.Despite the Raiders having a surplus of wide receivers, Tucker remains one of their most interesting young options. With a more reliable deep passing game, he could significantly impact the team this season.
Ballentine's belief that Tucker can only function as a slot receiver is a major reason why he thinks Tucker is no longer a good fit for the Raiders.
The Raiders may have a packed wide receiver lineup, but Tucker is among their most captivating young choices. If the deep passing game becomes more consistent, he could become a major asset for the team this season.
Why Would Las Vegas Want to Trade Tre Tucker?
The main reason Ballentine believes Tucker is not a good fit for the Raiders is because he thinks Tucker can only play as a slot receiver.
Ballentine stated, “At 5’9″, 185 pounds, Tucker is a pure slot receiver.” However, Jakobi Meyers can also operate in the inside position, and Bowers is also likely to get significant playing time from that position.
If there's a team willing to offer a decent draft pick for Tucker, the Raiders should be open to considering it.
However, what Ballentine is suggesting isn't entirely accurate. Tucker played only 117 snaps in the slot last season, while taking 216 snaps on the outer positions, according to Pro Football Focus. Although he is capable of playing in the slot, it's not quite accurate to label him as a “pure slot receiver.”
Las Vegas Raiders Likely Won’t Trade Tre Tucker
There's truly no good reason for the Raiders to trade Tucker. It's unlikely they will receive more than a fourth-round pick in a trade, and they used a third-round pick on him just a year ago, which is not a great value.
Even though Tucker showed potential as a rookie, no team is likely to offer a second-round pick for him. Additionally, the Raiders probably value Tucker. He is one of the fastest players on the team and Davante Adams has spoken highly of him in the past.
Tucker is one of the Raiders' most intriguing young players, and if he improves his ball-handling skills, he could be a major asset. Last season, he showed that he could get open simply with his speed and route running. There's no reason for the Raiders to trade him before they fully see his potential.
