Darren Waller Shining As A Pass-Catcher
Darren Waller is gaining more respect as a pass-catcher by the day at training camp. At 6’6,” he provides a large target and is displaying the athletic ability to go up and grab balls over top of coverage. Waller played wide receiver at Georgia Tech and is shaping up as a sleeper at a thin tight end position. He still has a long way to go to be a reliable fantasy asset, but it’s a good sign his offseason rave reviews have transitioned to Raiders camp. Waller’s stock will likely only grow throughout the preseason and is certainly a name to keep an eye on as a part of an improving offense.
Source: Michael Gehlken - Twitter
Oakland Raiders tight end Source: Michael Gehlken - Twitter
Giants Expect Darren Waller To Retire
Darren Waller is expected to make a decision on his 2024 playing status by next week's mini-camp, and people in and around the organization expect he will announce his retirement, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Waller has had a tough time staying healthy lately, as he's missed 19 games over the last three years with lingering lower-body injuries. The 31-year-old posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020, but he hasn't reached 700 yards since. If Waller decides to call it a career, target competition for No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers will be even further reduced. Meanwhile, Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson will likely compete for TE1 duties. Either player will have limited upside in Daniel Jones' offense. Whether Waller continues to play or not, his career exceeded expectations considering he was a converted wide receiver and had fewer than 200 receiving yards to his name in the three years before his 2019 breakout season.
Source: Jordan Raanan
New York Giants tight end Source: Jordan Raanan
Darren Waller Absent At OTAs
Darren Waller, who has been contemplating retirement this offseason, has not been in attendance for the team's voluntary organized team activities this week, and there is no word on when he expects to join the team. All signs are pointing toward Waller hanging up his cleats after posting a disappointing 52 receptions for 552 yards and one touchdown on 74 targets in 12 starts in his first year in the Big Apple last year. The 31-year-old doesn't have any guarantees left on his contract, and the Giants could free up $11.625 million in salary cap space if he's a post-June 1 cut. He has missed at least five games due to injuries in each of the last three seasons. If Waller officially calls it quits, Daniel Bellinger figures to serve as the team's primary pass-catching tight end in 2024.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
New York Giants tight end Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Giants Haven't Given Darren Waller A Deadline For His Decision
Darren Waller a deadline on his retirement decision this offseason. "Hopefully he's going to make a decision in the short term, but we're giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do," Schoen said. Waller said in early March that he'd have a decision soon, but that hasn't come to fruition for the 31-year-old. A hamstring injury limited him to 12 games in 2023, and he finished with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller is no longer in the prime of his career like he was with the Las Vegas Raiders and will be a pretty big injury risk as a low-end TE1 in fantasy if he decides to return for another season in 2024.
Source: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Thursday that he hasn't given tight end Source: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
Darren Waller Still Considering Retirement
Darren Waller said on Friday that he is "still undecided" on if he is going to continue his playing career in 2024. A previous report on Friday suggested that while Waller had considered retirement after last season, he was expected to return this year. The 31-year-old dealt with more hamstring issues in his first year in the Big Apple and finished with a disappointing 52 catches on 74 targets for 552 yards and only one touchdown in 12 games played. He's due to make $10.5 million in base salary in 2024 and count $14 million against the salary cap. The Giants have no intention of making him a cap casualty. The only other tight end on the roster with substantial playing time is Daniel Bellinger, who is set to enter his third season in 2024. At this point in his career, Waller is an extreme injury risk as a TE1 in fantasy.
Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy
New York Giants tight end Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy
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