Recapping the 2019 Oakland Raiders Position Groups: Tight Ends

Exceeding expectations

The emphasis of the 2019 season was to leverage new weapons around Derek Carr. Josh Jacobs was drafted in the first round as the successor in the backfield, and the additions of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams were meant to re-load a receiving corps that desperately lacked talent the year prior.

At first glance, the tight end position might be the third option on offense. By the end of the year, Carr not only had a stud tight end, but regularly went to the position group overall, and it paid dividends.

Darren Waller was pegged as a breakout candidate as early as training camp, and he did not disappoint. Waller started all 16 games and finished with 1145 receiving yards was third amongst all tight ends in receiving yards per game (behind only Travis Kelce and George Kittle). His 90 receptions were second-most by all tight ends, and though he hauled in just three touchdowns, you can count on him easily besting that number next season.

In just his first full season with the Raiders, you can make the compelling argument that he’s in the conversation of the top five tight ends in the NFL.

Foster Moreau became just another standout of the Raiders 2019 draft class, hauling in five touchdowns before his season was cut short due to a knee injury. Moreau quickly cemented himself as part of the Raiders’ future long-term, and in his absence, Derek Carrier provided veteran experience in his relief.