One of the most surprising developments of the 2019 season has been the rise of tight end Darren Waller. After busting in Baltimore, Waller has turned his career around in Oakland and now is considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
In a recent article by Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, Waller was named one of the most underrated players of the 2019 season. Take a look at why Farrar believes Waller has risen to stardom.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft by the Ravens, Waller went through his share of substance abuse issues, which led to several league suspensions. He’s put his life together, was signed to the Raiders’ practice squad in 2018, and his 2019 season has been his best to date. Waller has 46 catches on 58 targets for 496 yards and three touchdowns this season, and he’s particularly effective at taking quick passes from Derek Carr and blasting through enemy defenses to create yards after the catch. Waller leads the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards, and it’s great to see that he’s recovered his NFL opportunities after a rough patch.
If Waller can continue to improve as a blocker, it won’t be long until he is mentioned in the same conversation as Travis Kelce and George Kittle. He is clearly one of the most talented and athletic tight ends at the position, and he is showing that this season. The sky is the limit for the Raiders’ newly-signed tight end.
