The Giants agreed Tuesday to acquire Waller from the Raiders in exchange for the 100th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Even if he can't return to the peak years he enjoyed in 2019 and 2020, Waller should be a huge upgrade for a Giants offense that got less than 600 combined receiving yards out of all its tight ends last season. The 30-year-old had only 388 yards in nine games during an injury-riddled 2022 campaign, but he topped 60 yards per game in three straight seasons before that and remains one of the NFL's better athletes at tight end. The relatively light trade compensation can at least partially be explained by Waller's contract, which comes with base salaries of at least $10.5 million for each of the next four seasons, though the Raiders have already paid out most of his guarantees. The addition of Waller is excellent news for quarterback Daniel Jones and a huge blow to the 2023 fantasy prospects of second-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. The Raiders, meanwhile, are set to rely on their wide receivers to carry the passing game after coming to terms with Jakobi Meyers earlier Tuesday.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Does little with six targets
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Waller recorded two receptions on six targets for 35 yards in Saturday's 31-13 loss to the Chiefs.
Waller saw his highest target total since Week 2, though he lacked rapport with Jarrett Stidham to post a disappointing stat line. Waller did manage to account for the Raiders' longest play from scrimmage with a 24-yard reception early in the second quarter -- his seventh gain of 20 or more yards in his last four games. After suffering through an injury-plagued season, Waller will be back in Las Vegas in 2023.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: TEs to Start
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I'd like to see Waller get more targets, but he's been productive in his three games since coming back from his hamstring injury. He has at least nine PPR points in each outing, with two games of at least 13 PPR points, but he's been at five targets or less each week. In Week 17 against San Francisco with Jarrett Stidham, Waller had three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Waller has a good history against the Chiefs, scoring at least 15 PPR points in three of his past four healthy games, and he should be trusted again in all leagues in Week 18.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Posts strong results with new QB
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Waller corralled three of five targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-34 overtime loss to the 49ers.
Waller got the offense kickstarted with a 24-yard touchdown reception on the team's opening drive. The athletic tight end could have had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season had he not dropped a tough ball that Jarrett Stidham launched over the secondary late in the game. Nonetheless, it was Waller's best fantasy point output this season, and it came as the result of the coaching staff changing quarterbacks this week. The Georgia Tech product's deep-play ability combined with Stidham's strong arm could lead to more positive results against the Chiefs in Week 18.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: TEs to Sit
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I hope Waller has a big game in Week 17 against the 49ers, but he's a little tough to trust, especially with Derek Carr being benched for Jarrett Stidham. In two games back from his eight-game absence with a hamstring injury Waller only has eight targets for seven catches, 106 yards and a touchdown. And now he has a brutal matchup in Week 17 against San Francisco. The 49ers are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and they have allowed just three touchdowns to the position this season. Waller will likely need to score a touchdown to save his Fantasy production, and he only has two touchdowns on the season. He's a low-end starter at best in the majority of leagues.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Tallies four receptions in Week 16
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Waller gathered in four of five targets for 58 yards during Saturday's 13-10 defeat in Pittsburgh.
In his second outing back after logging eight consecutive DNPs due to a hamstring issue, Waller paced the Raiders in catches and receiving yards while finishing third in targets. The performance was a small bright spot in a passing game that managed just 143 net yards, which was aided by a game-high 34-yard gain that helped set up a successful Daniel Carlson field-goal attempt just before halftime. Waller's outlook for Week 17 doesn't look great, with the 49ers' No. 1-ranked defense coming to Las Vegas on Sunday, Jan. 1.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Scores TD in return
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Waller caught all three of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Patriots.
Seeing his first action since Week 5 after recovering from hamstring issues, the tight end was eased into the lineup and split reps with Foster Moreau, but Waller still made an impact by catching a 25-yard TD from Derek Carr in the second quarter. With the injury further behind him, Waller's volume could grow in Week 16 against a Steelers defense that's been stingy lately against TEs.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Comes off IR on Saturday
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Waller (hamstring) has been activated from injured reserve in advance of Sunday's game against the Patriots.
The return of Waller, who last suited up Week 5, will bolster the 5-8 Raiders' passing attack ahead of the team's last four games. In his looming return to the mix, Waller should reclaim his starting role ahead of Foster Moreau, who had been filling in as Las Vegas' top tight end. Prior to being sidelined, Waller logged a 16-175-1 line on 24 targets in five games, but assuming no setbacks, the 30-year-old should see enough volume down the stretch to yield fantasy utility.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Status for Sunday unclear
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Coach Josh McDaniels wouldn't commit either way on potentially activating Waller (hamstring) for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Waller was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, but the Raiders are under no obligation to bring the tight end back this week, as the team has a three-week window in which to evaluate and eventually clear him to play. McDaniels wants to see how Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (oblique) hold up in practice Friday before making a decision on either pass catcher. If Waller is activated for his first action since Week 5, he would have plenty of upside against a Patriots defense that's allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends this season. Should Waller remain sidelined, Foster Moreau presumably would draw another start.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: May return in Week 15
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Waller (hamstring) told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com on Tuesday that he's "on track" to be activated from injured reserve next week and perhaps suit up for Week 15 against the Patriots.
Waller's comment seemingly rule him out from playing in this Thursday's game at the Rams, especially because the Raiders have yet to designate him for return from IR. He's been sidelined since Week 5 due to a strained left hamstring, which has allowed Foster Moreau to serve as the team's No. 1 tight end.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: May not be ready for Week 14 return
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Waller (hamstring) is eligible to return from injured reserve for the Raiders' Week 14 game against the Rams, but head coach Josh McDaniels suggested Wednesday that the tight end may not be cleared to play by then, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
After hosting the Chargers this Sunday, the Raiders face a quick turnaround for the Dec. 8 matchup with the Rams, which falls on a Thursday. While McDaniels said Waller is getting "close" to a return, the coach indicated that the short window between the Weeks 13 and 14 games could make it tough for the 30-year-old to prove the left hamstring strain is behind him. Waller hadn't played since Week 5 before being placed on IR ahead of Week 10, so his streak of absences is set to reach seven games Sunday. Foster Moreau will be in store for at least one more turn as the Raiders' top tight end, and likely an additional one next Thursday if McDaniels' prediction about Waller's availability comes to pass.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Placed on IR
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The Raiders placed Waller (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday.
Waller thus will miss at least four games, with his next chance to suit up for a game being Thursday, Dec. 8, when the Raiders take on the Rams in Week 14. While Waller is out, Foster Moreau is in line to serve as the Raiders' top tight end, a role that gives him a degree of fantasy utility in the coming weeks.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Reportedly headed to IR
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The Raiders plan to place Waller (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Official confirmation of the anticipated move isn't expected to arrive until later Thursday, but Schefter notes that the tight end aggravated his strained left hamstring, and the hope is that an IR stint will give Waller the time he needs to heal up ahead of the Raiders' stretch run. In Waller's looming absence, Foster Moreau is in line to see an expanded role in the team's passing game.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Still limited at practice
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Waller (hamstring) remained a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.
Waller has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, and his status for Sunday's game against the Colts has yet to be determined. If Waller is unable to return to action this weekend, Foster Moreau would be in line to continue to see added snaps.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Won't play Week 9
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Waller (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Even though Waller managed limited participation in practice all week before taking a questionable tag into Sunday, the Raiders are choosing to exercise caution by holding the tight end out for a third consecutive game. Waller hasn't experienced any reported setbacks in his recovery from the injury, but Las Vegas is seemingly fearful that having the 30-year-old play at less than 100 percent health could result in an aggravation that would sideline him for a longer period of time. Foster Moreau should continue to serve as the Raiders' top tight end this week, but Waller should have a decent chance at making it back for Las Vegas' Week 10 matchup with the Colts if he remains free of setbacks during the team's upcoming practices.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: True game-time decision
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Waller (hamstring) is a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars, and the Raiders could take a cautious approach and hold him out, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Waller, who is officially listed as questionable, is reportedly closing in on a return after having been sidelined since Week 5 due to the hamstring injury. Rapoport notes that Las Vegas' primary concern is an aggravation for Waller if he returns to the field before being 100 percent healthy, so while the standout tight end's status will need to be monitored as Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff nears, fantasy managers may want to consider Foster Moreau as a potential pivot option.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Listed as questionable
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Waller (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.
"He's working extremely hard to try to get back as soon as he can," coach Josh McDaniels said of Waller, who has missed two straight contests. "I know that, and nobody wants to play quicker than Darren does." Fortunately for those considering the Raiders' top tight end in Week 9 fantasy lineups, the team kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If Waller remains out or is limited this weekend, added snaps and targets once again would be available for Foster Moreau.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Manages another limited practice
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Waller (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Waller practiced in a limited capacity all of last week before sitting out the Raiders' eventual 24-0 loss to the Saints, so he may need to upgrade to full activity Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into Sunday's game in Jacksonville. If Waller ends up sitting out Week 9 or is available only in a limited capacity, Foster Moreau could continue to take on an expanded role at tight end.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Remains limited in practice
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Waller (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Waller was a limited participant all last week and listed as questionable before ultimately missing the 24-0 loss to New Orleans. He at least seems to have avoided a setback, and a return to full practice participation by the end of the week would have him on track to play in Sunday's game in Jacksonville.
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Raiders' Darren Waller: Not expected to play Sunday
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Waller (hamstring) is not in line to play Sunday against the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Official confirmation of the tight end's status will arrive once the Raiders' Week 8 inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff, but it looks like Waller is in line to be sidelined, which paves the way for Foster Moreau to see added snaps versus New Orleans.
