With free agency about six weeks away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ tight end position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.
Starter: Darren Waller
Backups: Foster Moreau, Nick Bowers
Free agents: Jason Witten (Ret), Derek Carrier, Nick O’Leary
If not for Travis Kelce, Darren Waller would have gotten all the awards for a tight end in the league last season. As it stood, since Kelce not only shares a conference but a division, with Waller, he took a backseat to Kelce. But awards aren’t everything. Everyone recognizes Waller is an elite talent and there is a sizable distance between him and the third-best tight end in the league. He set a franchise record for receptions (107) and led the team with 1196 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
Speaking of taking a backseat, Moreau sat back and watch Jason Witten get most of his snaps, despite outplaying the veteran every chance he got. Jon Gruden kept saying it was because of Witten’s veteran presence and smarts that he got the snaps. Well, if that’s the case, we should see even better play from Moreau going forward.
Condition: Strong
Witten has retired and Derek Carrier — who played almost exclusively on special teams — is a free agent. The Raiders are set with Waller and Moreau and it shouldn’t be difficult to find a third option. Invite a few to camp and let someone win that job.
Also, see conditions of:
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