When Darren Waller was playing college football, he was a Wide Receiver. The Baltimore Ravens drafted him in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 204th overall pick. His NFL career got off to a rocky start as he was suspended multiple times for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. In 2018, the Raiders signed him to their practice squad where he would eventually be elevated to the 53-man roster. With the Raiders, he would become one of Derek Carr’s favorite targets. Last September before the season kicked off, Darren signed a contract extension which made him the highest-paid Tight End in the league. Free Agency has started, and the New York Giants have acquired the veteran Tight End from the Raiders in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
Darren is an elite Tight End when healthy and he’s on the field. I’ve always referred to some football players as being stuck in the position of another player. That can easily be applied to Darren because he’s been labeled as a Wide Receiver stuck in the body of a Tight End and that’s accurate with him because he’s a former Wide Receiver and he’s bought that background with him to his converted position. Darren is 6’6 and 238 pounds who moves very fluidly in the open field. For a man of his height and weight, he’s excellent at creating space and ways to get open. He’s that mismatch that you can’t leave one-on-one because that’s bad news and he will make you pay. You must always have two defenders around him. I’ve seen him used in so many circumstances whether it’s on first down, second down or to move the chains on third down, I laugh when people say you can be physical with him because that doesn’t work. He’s big enough to handle that physical nature of the game. I’ve even heard some say to give him space, but Darren can move. This is a shifty Tight End that can go and shift. He can run the whip routes, change directions and he’s so tough to bring down in the open field. The contested catches are another thing to watch for. Darren sets up defenders well because of his speed advantage.
This is a move I didn’t see coming from the Giants. I like this acquisition by Big Blue. After signing Daniel Jones to that extension last week, it’s only right they try to put more weapons around him. I can’t say it enough, put your Quarterback in the position to succeed. If Darren can stay healthy and remain consistent, this will pay off immensely. He could do some wonders in Brian Daboll’s offense.
