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10 Most Indispensable New York Giants: No. 5 Offers High Risk/High Reward

If tight end Darren Waller can finally kick the injury bug and return to form, his presence can help elevate the Giants offense to new heights.

Brandon Olsen

10 Most Indispensable New York Giants: No. 5 Offers High Risk/High Reward
10 Most Indispensable New York Giants: No. 5 Offers High Risk/High Reward /
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Darren Waller, Tight End

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 245 lbs.
College: Georgia Tech | NFL Exp: 7 Years
Career Stats: 298 receptions, 3,572 receiving yards, 19 receiving touchdowns

Few players have become the success story that New York Giants tight end Darren Waller has throughout his NFL career. Waller was a wide receiver in the triple-option offense of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets throughout college. His size plus experience as a blocker made him a prime candidate to be one of the earliest wide receiver-to-tight-end transition experiments--and boy, was that a good decision.

Waller is also a success story off the field, as he battled substance abuse from the time he was a teenager well into his NFL career, which began with the Baltimore Ravens. After getting clean, Waller joined the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, where his career took off.

With the Raiders, Waller would become one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in 2020 with his 107 receptions, 1,196 yards, and nine receiving touchdowns.

In the last two seasons, he's been slowed down by injuries. He also appeared to fall out of favor with the new coaching staff led by Josh McDaniels. Waller was traded to the Giants for a third-round pick this past off-season, and the hope is that the fresh start rejuvenates his career and helps turbocharge the Giants offense.

Why He’s Indispensable

Waller is about as unique a tight end as there is. He has tight end size but moves like a prototypical X-receiver, making him a matchup nightmare opposing defensive coordinators can’t prepare for.

The argument for Waller’s unique skillset could be compared to that of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Teams can’t prepare for him with their scout team because their backup quarterback can’t move like Jackson, and a fast enough player can’t throw like him.

Similarly, scout teams are challenged to replicate what Waller brings to the table because most players they have that are his size aren’t capable of moving like him.

Waller’s versatility and unique skillset make him invaluable to a roster looking for more dynamic playmakers at every position. The expectation is that his presence in the lineup will help open things up in the middle of the field and for the action along the boundaries.

Top 10 Indispensable Players

No. 10: Kayvon Thibodeaux | No. 9: Leonard Williams | No. 8: Bobby OkerekeNo. 7: Adoree' Jackson | No. 6: Xavier McKinney

What Happens if He’s Missing?

Plain and simple, there is no way for the Giants to directly replace the production or skillset Waller brings. Lawrence Cager is as close as it gets on the roster to be able to replicate the skillset of Waller, but talent-wise, he isn’t close to having what Waller has.

If Waller were to miss time, there are two likely approaches that the Giants would take at that point. On one side, the Giants might decide to just continue with a 12-personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) with the tradeoff that they are less explosive throwing the ball out of that grouping but might be more effective running.

Conversely, if Waller were to miss time, then the Giants could look to go with more of an 11-personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers) look with the hope of winning with speed in the passing game.

Final Thoughts

Waller has dealt with injuries in recent years, which could be a concern as he comes to the Giants, but with a player as dynamic as Waller is, any team would invest in that risk for its potential payoff.

While the Giants traded a third-round pick for Waller just a few months ago, and he’s one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL, long-term, is no concern for the franchise as they could cut ties with Waller after 2024 with little cap impact.

If things go according to plan, Waller is currently under contract through the 2026 season. The contractual versatility for Waller is a massive advantage because he either works out and lives up to his contract, or he doesn’t, and the Giants aren’t stuck with him long-term.

For 2023 though, he’s completely untouchable. The dead cap hit would be far too heavy of a toll to pay for Waller not to be on the roster, and his unique skillset is too enticing to let walk after just one season.

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Brandon Olsen
BRANDON OLSEN

Brandon Olsen is the founder of Whole Nine Sports, specializing in NFL Draft coverage, and is the host of the Locked On Gators Podcast. 

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