Without a doubt, the redemption story of Darren Waller has to be one of the biggest storylines coming out of the 2019 NFL season. After failing as a wide receiver in Baltimore due to poor play and multiple failed drug tests, the Raiders took a chance on Waller during the 2018 season. He was a part-time player who flashed enough for the Raiders to let Pro Bowl tight end Jared Cook leave in free agency.
After proving that he could be trusted on and off the field, Waller earned the starting tight end role for the Raiders before Week 1. He repaid the team’s faith by catching 90 passes for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, the site ranked Waller as the league’s 71st-best player and named him one of the top tight ends in all of the NFL. Take a look at what PFF had to say about Waller and his abilities as a receiver:
One of the biggest surprises of the season, Darren Waller completed his transformation from triple-option wide receiver in college to one of the NFL’s most dynamic receiving tight ends this season. Waller trailed only Travis Kelce in receiving yards at the position and actually caught a higher percentage of targets than the new Super Bowl winner (78.3% to 74.6%). Waller also averaged 6.6 yards after the catch and broke 11 tackles, proving to be a very effective weapon with the ball in his hands.
With a full season of starting experience under his belt, one would assume Waller would be even better next season. If he can continue to improve as a blocker and as a route runner, then there is nothing stopping Waller from becoming one of the league’s best tight ends. Look for a massive 2020 season from the Raiders’ star tight end next year.
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