Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker.
Tre Tucker NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Cincinnati
- Year: Senior
Tucker was a three-star recruit out of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. As with most high school athletes that go on to play at the college level, he was massively productive, setting school records for receiving yards and touchdowns.
Tucker played four years at college. While his production increased each year, he was just never really a key part of the Bearcats’ offense. He played behind Alec Pierce in 2021 and fellow 2023 NFL Draft entrant Tyler Scott in 2022.
Tucker only posted three 100-yard receiving games during his entire collegiate career. He only had one game with at least four receptions until midway through his junior season.
As a senior, Tucker recorded his best season. He caught 52 of 80 targets for 672 yards and three touchdowns and had six games with at least five receptions.
Overall, Tucker caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns during his time in college.
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Unfortunately, Tucker really struggled when he faced a step up in competition. Tucker appeared in three bowl games (during his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons). Cincinnati faced Boston College, Georgia, and Alabama. In those games, Tucker posted lines of 0-0, 0-0, and 2-12.
Where Tucker might carve out a role in the NFL is on special teams. He made sporadic appearances as a punt returner, but his best skill was returning kickoffs. Throughout his four years, he returned 67 kicks for a total of 1,670 yards and two touchdowns.
Tucker’s special teams acumen will likely be the key to his NFL success. His college production does not foreshadow much of a role as a wide receiver.
Tucker will likely max out as a rotational WR5/6, only seeing the field in the event of multiple injuries to guys in front of him. But he definitely has a path to sustaining a career on special teams.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Tre Tucker
Strengths: Smallish receiver with excellent speed. Displays a deep burst, tracks the pass in the air, and adjusts to the ball at full speed to make the reception in stride. Extends his hands to grab the ball away from his frame and makes the reception on crossing patterns. Easily adjusts or reaches back to grab the errant throw from the air. Finds the soft spot in the defense and works to make himself an available target.
Weaknesses: Does not display strong hands and has fastballs slip through. Drops a lot of catchable throws.
Overall: Tucker has flashed big-play ability the past two seasons, but at the same time, he has a lot of lapses and too many drops. Tucker’s a slot receiver who offers return possibilities, yet he must consistently catch the ball to make it out of camp this summer.
Tre Trucker Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 5′ 8 7/8″
- Weight: 182
- Wingspan: 70 3/8″
- Arm Length: 28 7/8″
- Hand Size: 8 5/8″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.40
- Vertical: 37 1/2″
- Broad: 10’4″
Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s latest Big Board, Tucker ranked 210th overall and is projected to be drafted in the sixth round. With a 3.35 grade, he is Tony’s WR30 in this class.
This year’s wide receiver class features a ton of depth but lacks the true high-end talent we’ve been spoiled with in recent years. That could open the door for more later-round selections to work their way onto NFL rosters.
Even so, Tucker would do well to simply make a team. It’s always a challenge for Day 3 picks. If Tucker is indeed around the 30th wide receiver selected, he will have his work cut out for him.
Not only does every team have a full complement of veteran receivers, but if Tucker goes that late, the team that drafts him may very well have already drafted another rookie receiver.
Tucker should be viewed primarily as a special teamer and roster depth at wide receiver.