5 things Oakland Raiders fans should be thankful for in 2019
By Matt Holder
Darren Waller
During the offseason, head coach Jon Gruden referred to Waller as the ‘best-kept secret‘ in the NFL. Well, the cat’s out of the bag as the tight end ranks third in receptions and receiving yards at the position. Also, the veteran leads the team in those categories and is quarterback Derek Carr’s most reliable target.
After a few seasons in Baltimore, Waller had to fight his way back into the league by battling some personal struggles with addiction. He was able to overcome the demons that plagued his past and has become a very productive player for the team.
Not only is his production a welcomed sight for fans, but also the organization’s willingness to take him in and help him develop as a person is encouraging.
Every year there is a free agent or draft prospect with a checkered past that usually has something to do with substance abuse. Seeing how the organization has handled and stood by Waller through his personal struggles will make Oakland/Las Vegas a more attractive destination for those players. The Raiders clearly have a strong support system within the organization and hopefully, that can help bring in more talent and turn more lives around.