9. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Last year’s edition of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” gave the viewing world insight into the long and winding road Darren Waller traveled to get to the Las Vegas Raiders. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 draft by the Baltimore Ravens out of Georgia Tech, Waller struggled with substance abuse issues and suspensions. 2019 was his first real chance at an opportunity in the league, and he certainly made the most of it.
Last year Waller was a focal point of the Raiders’ offense, perhaps due in part to the departure of Jared Cook, and Waller flashed in a big way. He was targeted 115 times in the passing game (third-most among tight ends) and caught 90 of those passes for 1,146 yards and three touchdowns. Those 90 receptions were second only to Travis Kelce among TEs, and his receiving yardage was also second in the league at the position, again to Kelce.
What makes Waller unique, and a true threat in the passing game, is that he is more of a big wide receiver than a pure tight end. That makes him a matchup nightmare on the outside and even down the field. In this quick video package put together by the Raiders, you can see Waller making plays in space against defensive backs, but also underneath against linebackers and safeties:
Another triple-digit receiving day for the guy Coach Gruden calls the best tight end in football.
Darren Waller + #ProBowlVote
Darren Waller + #ProBowlVote
Darren Waller + #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/0x6OBvM5jc— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 2, 2019
As you look ahead to 2020, in the year ahead he’ll have rookie speedster Henry Ruggs III, Tyrell Williams, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow and Zay Jones outside of him. That, coupled with his skill-set and athleticism, is going to make gameplanning tough on opposing defensive coordinators.