Tre Tucker faces a demanding test in Week 3 as the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to face a New Orleans Saints defense that has relied heavily on man coverage. Tucker bounced back from a quiet Week 1 performance with a standout game in Week 2, but the numbers show that his effectiveness against man coverage thus far this season will be put to the test in the team’s upcoming matchup against the Saints.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tucker has posted just 1.13 yards per reception against man coverage, an unusually low figure in those situations, while the Saints have played man coverage on 44 percent of defensive snaps, the sixth-highest rate in the league.
That tendency will give the Saints opportunities to challenge Tucker at the line of scrimmage,
disrupt his route running and limit his yards after the catch.
The Raiders may need to find ways to free up Tucker, which coach Klint Kubiak is well equipped to do with his championship-level play-calling. New Orleans presents a particularly difficult matchup for Tucker. The Saints have relied on man coverage a great deal, and held Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a modest 67 receiving yards in Week 1 by his standards, though the Baltimore Ravens recorded 235 REC yards on New Orleans in Week 2 with Rashod Bateman leading their charge with 88 REC yards.
For Tucker, the matchup against the Saints will be an opportunity for him to improve his play against man coverage. Winning on routes and getting open down the field will service him well in turning the tide against such schemes.
In the event that Tucker struggles to separate from Saints cornerbacks draped on him, the Raiders’ offense may rely more on other receivers to produce.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Could Raiders star WR Tre Tucker face problems vs Saints man coverage?
