Tre Tucker & the WR Situation

[NoThanksSir]

There is a situation developing with Tre Tucker that is going under the radar. Tucker is a FA this offseason, and while he leaves a lot to be desired in a #1WR after Bowers, he unfortunately is our best WR. I'm not his biggest fan by any means, but even if we take a WR with our 1st pick in 2027 we're still in a precarious situation if he were to walk in free agency. Rookie receivers, especially those taken outside of the top 10, are rarely immediate contributors. I'm skeptical that a Rookie+Nailor/Bech/etc. will produce better results than what we have now. This is even more pressing of an issue because Mendoza will be playing next year, and that is a god awful situation for our prized QB prospect to be walking into. I think even if we assume that first pick is a receiver, we need to consider that another move at WR will need to accompany that selection. That could be re-signing Tucker, going after a more expensive #1, or seeking out a veteran bandaid while a rookie receiver develops. Of course there is option D, none of the above. Which I personally think would be a recipe for disaster, as the other talent on this roster hasn't shown enough potential.

2027 FA WRs

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These are the options other than Tucker in 2027. One important thing to note, is that the only players on the list younger than Tucker are Marvin Mims and George Pickens (By 4 days). My theory is that Tucker is going to have a lot more interest than any of us realize, and might be more coveted by another team than he is by us. Right now Tucker is on pace for a career year. If he continues his average of 59 yards a game, he can reasonably finish the season around 1K yards. While I feel like he leaves a lot to be desired as a player, if we compare him to someone who recently signed a contract with similar career numbers, what could we learn about Tucker's value?

Control Group: Tre Tucker

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Ex 1: Michael Wilson, Cardinals, 26 Yrs old

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Last offseason Wilson signed a 3yr, $75 mill extension at an APY of $25mill a year. His age and numbers are very similar to Tucker's. On top of that, both players are having very similar years in 2026, you could argue Tucker is playing quite a bit better. But let's assume Wilson's contract is a product of a poor Cardinal's org. Let's move on to another example.

Ex 2. Christian Watson, Packers, 27 Yrs old

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Watson also signed an extension last year, this one at an APY of $23mill a year. His career production is similar to Tucker, he seems to be a better red zone player than Tucker is.

Ex. 3 Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars, 30 Yrs old

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This last comp is more of a stretch, but valid because he was in the building and we moved on from him due to a perceived lack of value when it came to a contract extension. I would argue Jakobi Meyers's $20 mill APY is Tucker's floor. I was one of the loudest when it came to Jakobi not being worth what he was going to get paid, and I think the greater conclusion to make here is that mid level WR's are being paid handsomely across the board for very little on field production. Tucker is currently outperforming Meyers in 2026.

So now we have established the general range for Tucker's comps are between $20-25 mill a year. If we decide the juice isn't worth the squeeze, it's worth taking a look at more expensive options while we're at it.

Ex. JSN, Drake London, & Zay Flowers

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All three of these players recently signed contracts at the following APYs ($42.2, 35.2, 35). The main two high end receiver targets for this upcoming offseason (If they hit the open market) will be Nacua and Pickens.

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London and Zay aren't remotely on the same level as Nacua or Pickens. I think JSN is the rare example of a guy setting the market and then defending his position as the #1, as he's clearly still the best WR in the league. Those other guys set the floor at $35.2 mill, but both Nacua and Pickens will probably be more in line with JSN's $42.2. So a roughly $18 mill price difference from Tucker's group.


There are some guys in between those two groups who might be worth a look as budgetary options, especially those older than Tucker. But I thought this would be an interesting enough way to kick off the discussion by showing what the WR market is looking like right now, so that we could reasonably put into context what it will cost us to improve the position next year. Is simply drafting a WR a good enough plan in 2027? Do you want to keep Tucker? Or maybe sign someone else?

[NoThanksSir]

i think this one had more to do with getting rid of it quickly to his number 1 target more then him missing an open tucker (target progression)

Defense was in a cover 2. The ball absolutely should have went to Tucker there, Kirk decided (Wrongly) where the ball was going before he snapped the ball.

[mstrbass2000]

Youre using the Rams which is the best example of a team making key trades for veterans. What you are missing is they were already a superbowl contender and the trades were to put them over the top. No successful NFL teams are built that way.

The most recent dynasties Chiefs and Patriots are known for trading away players or letting them walk for draft picks, not the other way around. You need to put down the Madden and join reality.

i think les snead is onto to something that other teams in teh n.f.l are still stuck on the old ways ...working great for em without 1st rd picks

i saw the rams 2027 1st rd pick putting up 3 sacks yesterday in 2026

ps from 2017 to this yr 2026 the rams they have only drafted jared verse and ty simpson in the 1st rd ,verse was recently packaged away with 2027 1 st rd pick to get myles garrett

[TrueFan420]

true ...meyer blocks and gets open, would have been a perfect wr2 for our team, which is why i wanna trade for josh downs a young slot reciver who has proven he can block and gets open

He’s another in the mold of what we have. He’s also going to be a FA and want to get paid. While I’m not opposed to him as a player, he’s not what we need at the moment. We need to address iOL and iDL. WR room might not be good but it also isn’t our issue.

[mstrbass2000]

He’s another in the mold of what we have. He’s also going to be a FA and want to get paid. While I’m not opposed to him as a player, he’s not what we need at the moment. We need to address iOL and iDL. WR room might not be good but it also isn’t our issue.

meyers is better then what we have currently, when he was a raider dude put wr2 numbers every yr, im not saying to go after him in free agency ...just pointing out we just got rid of him last yr to the jags

[LayneStaley]

DC, iDL, G are the biggest weaknesses on the team.

[Hellbound]

i think les snead is onto to something that other teams in teh n.f.l are still stuck on the old ways ...working great for em without 1st rd picks

i saw the rams 2027 1st rd pick putting up 3 sacks yesterday in 2026

ps from 2017 to this yr 2026 the rams they have only drafted jared verse and ty simpson in the 1st rd ,verse was recently packaged away with 2027 1 st rd pick to get myles garrett

Because they're in win now mode, not trying to build a team. You think they're going to continue to trade picks away once they start rebuilding? This isn't hard to figure out

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

tre tucker is gonna get paid and is nothing but a high end wr3, blows up a few times a yr and disappears, jack bech cant get seperation and at best is a wr4, nailor sucks, thorton sucks, white is a wr4 ...this team has the worst wr in the n.f.l, i wish we had kept meyers and paid him at least we would have a good wr2

ps we can go get josh downs for a 4th rd pick, kid has produced as a wr2 until this yr when the idiots in indy decided to sign keenan allen to steal half his targets ...that leaves sus with the great 1st rd pick to address oline (koltons replacement)

How can you state as fact we can get him for a 4th? Multiple contending teams are rumored to be interested in Downs .He is on an expiring contract .Why would he choose to come to a rebuilding team?

[Attyla]

How can you state as fact we can get him for a 4th? Multiple contending teams are rumored to be interested in Downs .He is on an expiring contract .Why would he choose to come to a rebuilding team?

Downs is not a world beater to begin with. Colts might deal him but if we are wanting an impact WR we should just draft one. Next year's crop looks pretty good overall. Top end guys are instant impact. Day 2 guys are spot starters mixed in there.

[mstrbass2000]

How can you state as fact we can get him for a 4th? Multiple contending teams are rumored to be interested in Downs .He is on an expiring contract .Why would he choose to come to a rebuilding team?

the colts put out that they had 1 offer as high as a 4th rd pick

[DanKD]

Someone wants us to trade our entire draft for people who wont be on the team next year

[mstrbass2000]

Because they're in win now mode, not trying to build a team. You think they're going to continue to trade picks away once they start rebuilding? This isn't hard to figure out

um les snead has been doing this since 2012 when they were losers and continues doing it while being winners, you think maybe les sneads way is why they have become winners

[mstrbass2000]

Someone wants us to trade our entire draft for people who wont be on the team next year

my precious

[DanKD]

Not sure why I bother but look at Sneads first three drafts. He had extra picks including 5 first rounders in his first three drafts. He initially built through the draft.

[Attyla]

Not sure why I bother but look at Sneads first three drafts. He had extra picks including 5 first rounders in his first three drafts. He initially built through the draft.

Don't let a good truth get in the way of a good lie

[Hellbound]

um les snead has been doing this since 2012 when they were losers and continues doing it while being winners, you think maybe les sneads way is why they have become winners

2017 was the first year they didn't have a first rd pick. They were 11-5 that year. Try again