One of the boldest decisions the Raiders made last offseason was letting tight end Jared Cook hit the open market. After leading the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns, Cook signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
However, it was clear that Jon Gruden had an incredible amount of faith in former wide receiver convert Darren Waller, who was making the transition tight end during the 2018 season. Waller rewarded Gruden’s faith as he caught 90 passes for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns during his first full season as a starter.
In a recent article by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he polled 50 NFL decision-makers and asked them who their top-10 tight ends are entering the 2020 season. Waller finished at No. 5, with only Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Zach Ertz and Rob Gronkowski in front of him. Take a look at what one NFL executive had to say about Waller:
“He’s legit, a mismatch guy. Speed to beat safeties and linebackers. He’s that first second-tier guy. So athletic.”
If Waller can replicate his stats from the 2019 season and prove that he wasn’t a fluke, he could easily rise up this list to No. 3 by this time next year. Waller is clearly one of the most athletic tight ends in the game and is just starting to learn the position. Expect the former Georgia Tech star to continue to improve and produce for the Raiders.
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