Renfrow's Expected Departure Opens Door for Tre Tucker
The Las Vegas Raiders spent most of their season trying to find a way to fit wide receiver Hunter Renfrow into the mold.
During the first eight weeks of the season, Las Vegas was unsuccessful in doing so for various reasons, although it sometimes seemed the Raiders' previous coaching staff was forgetting about Renfrow.
After the departure of Coach Josh McDaniels, Interim Coach Antonio Pierce and Interim Offensive Coordinator Bo Hardegree did their best to get Renfrow the ball more.
They successfully got him the ball more than the Raiders did in the first half of the season, but Renfrow would have the worst season of his career, posting 255 receiving yards on 25 receptions.
Rookie wide receiver Tre Tucker faced a similar situation as Renfrow in the first eight games of the season, but with Tucker being a rookie, the Raiders struggling to find a way to get him involved made more sense than the disappearance of Renfrow.
McDaniels had difficulty consistently finding ways to get Renfrow and Tucker involved in the offense. Both are are talented players who suffered from the previous regime's ability to showcase their ability.
While Renfrow and Tucker played the same position and were negatively impacted for much of this season by things outside their control, the two wide receivers are also at different points in their respective careers.
The Las Vegas Raiders will have ample time to find a more prominent role for WR Tre Tucker next season.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Renfrow is coming off of two consecutive disappointing seasons, missing seven games in one of those seasons due to injury and following that up with a healthy but unproductive season.
Tucker is coming off of his rookie season in the National Football League with the franchise that drafted him and that has high expectations of him.
The Raiders drafted Tucker in the third round of the NFL Draft, even though they had All-Pro Davante Adams, Renfrow and newcomer Jakobi Meyers in their receiving corps.
The Raiders also drafted Tucker after trading up to draft tight end Michael Mayer. Even with all of the viable pass-catching options already on their roster, the Raiders still drafted Tucker relatively high in the draft.
After a respectable rookie season in the NFL, Tucker will return to the Raiders next season with even more expectations than his first season.
Renfrow might not have seen many targets this season, but his departure will leave many more opportunities for Tucker next season.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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