Fantasy football: Where to draft New York Giants TE Darren Waller

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New York Giants TE Darren Waller enters the 2023 season with a renewed sense after spending last season underachieving in Las Vegas on a Raiders team which struggled under coach Josh McDaniel.

Below, we look at Darren Waller’s 2023 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

After just 28 receptions for 388 yards and 3 TDs in only 9 games last year, Waller was traded to the Giants this offseason. Coming onto a team in which there is no true WR 1 candidate, Waller will be the top pass-catching option for QB Daniel Jones to throw to. This will provide Waller with the potential to outkick his draft position in 2023 and make fantasy managers extremely excited to have him on their roster.

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Darren Waller’s ADP: 55.60

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Waller’s ADP ranks him as the 5th highest tight end. This is a solid price for a TE. who only played in 9 games in 2022 and is coming to a new team in the Giants. But it could also be a floor play for the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Waller, who was a favorite target for many years in Oakland/Las Vegas.

While injury issues are always a concern for Waller, taking him in the middle of the 5th round in a 12-team league is far less risk than a lot of other players you could draft at this point.

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Darren Waller’s 2022 stats

Games: 9

Receptions | targets: 28 | 43

Receiving yards: 388

Receiving touchdowns: 3

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Where should you draft Waller?

The fantasy stock for Waller is on the rise coming to the Giants. QB Jones releases the ball quicker and has remained far healthier in his career than Jimmy Garoppolo, who Waller would have been pulling in passes from had he not been traded away from Las Vegas.

Waller is also coming to a team in the Giants, who are looking for a dominant pass catcher to take the reins in the offense. With New York WRs Sterling Shepard injured and Darius Slayton more of a deep ball artist, Waller should have an exception season.

Currently the 5th-ranked tight end in ADP, this will be his floor if he remains in good health and can finish 15 games.

After just 28 receptions last season, Waller will make a leap and get to 70+, while also increasing his TD numbers. This will make his draft selection — (currently the 7th pick of the 6th round in 12-team leagues — one of the best values in your draft.

If you miss Kansas City TE Travis Kelce (8.00 ADP) or Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (31.89), Waller has just as much upside and can be had multiple rounds later. I’d be willing to go into the late 4th round for Waller if needed. You should be willing to do the same.

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