The Las Vegas Raiders are off to a hot 2-0 start to the 2026 NFL season, and they haven't even seen their best offensive weapon, Brock Bowers, take the field yet. But Klint Kubiak and the offense have found ways to produce with their superstar tight end on the sideline.
Last week, Ashton Jeanty shined both in the running game and in the passing game, totaling 102 yards on the ground and catching 6 passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns through the air. This week, a new player became the offense's main target: fourth-year wide receiver Tre Tucker.
Tucker had a breakout performance in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, notching his first 100-yard game of the season and only the second of his career. He finished with 5 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Not only did he help the Raiders get explosive plays on offense with two catches of 40 yards or more on the day, but he displayed some improved route-running ability. Let's take a look at the film to understand how much Tucker has grown.
Raiders' Tre Tucker is proving to be a good route-runner and all-around WR
During the offseason, people wondered whether Tucker could be an all-around receiver in 2026 and handle the role of a No. 1 wide receiver. He has shown flashes in the past, but it hasn’t fully come together while he has suited up for the Silver and Black.
Last Sunday afternoon, though, fans saw this on full display. While he did have the aforementioned two explosive plays, his other three receptions came on intermediate routes that showed his growth as a route-runner.
His second catch of the game was the product of a beautiful route over the middle. Tucker gets a great release off the line and gets inside leverage on the corner during his stem. He then makes a quick cut inside and brings in the pass for a first down.
In the second half, fans saw his improving release package one again. This time, he beat Donte Jackson with a great release and gained a ton of separation against him off the line. With a better throw from Cousins, this could have been a huge gain for the offense.
Tucker works Jackson with explosiveness and acceleration out of his release.
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) September 21, 2026
Could have been a bigger play with better throw from Cousins. pic.twitter.com/bpjdrpT35x
Of course, what Tucker did best is what he's always done well: win deep downfield. He is one of the best post route runners in the league and understands how to get separation against cornerbacks and safeties.
On Cousins' big throw at the end of the half, fans saw a great example of this. Tucker does a great job of selling the corner to freeze the defensive back. He then snaps inside quickly on the route, stacks the cornerback, and brings in the pass from Cousins for a huge play.
Tucker runs these deep post routes so well.
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) September 21, 2026
Sells the corner route to freeze the CB then snaps to the post.
Cousins with the dime under pressure.
Huge play in the game. pic.twitter.com/FEa5QMdBIA
With a chance of Bowers coming back this Sunday, Tucker has solidified a role in this offense and earned the trust of Kubiak. Hopefully, he can keep building on explosive plays and help this offense keep putting points on the board.
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