Oakland Raiders: Is Darren Waller suited to take on the pass catching TE role?
The Oakland Raiders entered the offseason with a plan of re-signing Jared Cook, but those plans went south quickly, as he landed in New Orleans. How will the Raiders look for similar production at tight end position without Cook on the roster?
The Raiders approach training camp with an abundance of tight ends, however none of them have much experience or success thus far during their time in the NFL. It appears that Darren Waller will be the guy called upon, to look towards filling the void that Cook left after taking his talent elsewhere.
Waller has gone unnoticed by many with the additions of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, but he does provided a solid young player who can develop, and really turn into something if he stays on the right track.
Waller has spent four seasons in the NFL. Three with the Baltimore Ravens and last season as his first year in Oakland. The Raiders scooped up Waller last year in November after he was released by Baltimore shortly after violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He was suspended four games in 2016 and missed the entire 2017 season, but since joining the Raiders he hasn’t experienced any issues on or off the field.
Waller saw live action in four games last season with the Raiders, but didn’t get the ball in his hands very much. He had six receptions for 75-yards during that stretch.
The Raiders do currently possess a crowded tight end room, but despite the quantity that they have, it’s pretty clear that Waller will be the TE1 heading into the 2019 season.
Their other tight ends options are Foster Moreau, Luke Willson, Derek Carrier, Paul Butler, and Erik Swoope. Although, none of them have the raw athletic ability that Waller has, as he can run through defenders with decent speed to generate separation and get open for Derek Carr.
In the entirety of Waller’s career he’s had numerous ups and downs. His 12 games played in 2016 is a career high for him, but looking ahead to this season, he’ll be asked to take upon every bit of the tight end role with the Raiders. Throughout his career he’s caught 18 passes for 178-yards and two touchdowns.
Even with the lack of high-end production, Jon Gruden was willing to take a shot with the former sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech due to the upside he possesses. Gruden will look for Waller to show that upside that he believes Waller has in him, as he’s projected to serve as Gruden’s starting tight end come week 1.