Broncos Player Profile: Casey Tucker #74 | Offensive Line
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Over the past few years, the Denver Broncos have been looking to find long-term solutions to multiple positions on the offensive line. One of those shots has been Casey Tucker, who is currently on his second stint with the team after being with the Broncos for a short time during the 2021 NFL Season.
Is there a chance that Tucker can make the roster and/or be a long-term option at the right tackle position? Maybe diving back into his career to date can help provide the answer.
Biography
Tucker will turn 27 after the season starts. He was born in Arizona, where he was a four-star recruit entering college. After attending Stanford, he eventually transferred to his home state to play for Arizona State.
College Career
The first three years of Tucker's college career were at Stanford. During his three years, he played a total of 1,373 snaps, mainly as the right tackle, but saw some action as the left tackle. He allowed 44 total pressures and four sacks during that time, and for his final year in 2018, he transferred to Arizona State.
While there, Tucker was a bookend tackle with current Broncos teammate Quinn Bailey. While Bailey handled the right tackle position, Tucker was the starter at left tackle.
Playing 325 pass-blocking snaps, Tucker allowed 10 total pressures with one sack, which is a pretty good rate. He graded well from Pro Football Focus with a 76.1 in pass protection but a measly 65.2 in run blocking.
Draft
There wasn't much chance for Tucker to show more during the pre-draft process without invitations to key NFL scouting events. Unfortunately, with some injuries in college and a poor showing at his pro day, his solid tape wasn't enough to get him drafted.
Professional Career
Tucker signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft and bounced around the NFL. After the Eagles, he was with the Detroit Lions, returning to the Eagles for his second stint. That second stint with the Eagles lasted from April 2020 until January 2021, before he signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
After the Colts let him go, Tucker saw his third stint with the Eagles before the Broncos scooped him up. He never saw the field during this time and was on the Denver's practice squads.
The Broncos kept him for over a month and waived him in December of 2021, when he was back to the Eagles and finally got to see some action in the Eagles season finale. Once the season was over, he was signed by the Broncos for his second stint with them.
In his one game of action, Tucker played 14 total snaps, 12 on offense, and five in pass protection. He allowed two pressures on those five snaps.
2022 Outlook
It doesn't look good for Tucker to make it, as the Broncos have their top-four tackels set. Garett Bolles, Billy Turner, Calvin Anderson, and Tom Compton seem poised for a roster spot, and there isn't room for a fifth tackle, but that still leaves the practice squad as an option for Tucker.
The issue is that he has plenty of competition, including his former college teammate Bailey. Bailey has more experience and a better showing on the field, which would give him a leg up. There is also undrafted rookie Sebastian Gutierrez, who could also make a play for the practice squad.
Regarding these depth tackles, everything rides on what they show during the preseason, so Tucker has a chance. However, he seems to have a more challenging road to the Broncos' practice squad, and he may be unable to make up some lost ground.
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