What does Waller have left in the tank?
By: Jake Rajala
It’s official: the Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller has come out of retirement and he’s even traded to the Miami Dolphins. We witnessed Gronk come out of retirement to play with Tom Brady. Perhaps Mike McDaniel sees something in Waller that can uplift Tua Tagovailoa.
Tyreek Hill wasn’t exactly a game-wrecker last season. He only hauled in 959 yards, which was the first time he failed to eclipse 1k yards since 2019 (and he missed four games in 2019). Hill isn’t getting any younger, as he’s 31.
The Phins need more talent this off-season, if they want to beat the Buffalo Bills. After all, the Bills swept the Dolphins last season. Josh Allen is also coming off an MVP season, so he’s even improving.
It was clear the Dolphins needed a tight end after they shipped away Jonnu Smith. Smith recorded 884 yards and four touchdowns last season! PFF gave Smith a grade of 78.2, which was fifth among TEs. He deserved to make the Pro Bowl last season.
Waller has failed to be a Pro Bowl TE since his 2020 (where he was a Pro Bowler). To be fair, he has failed to play in more than 12 games since 2020. He was in 12 games in 2023, 9 games in 2022, and 11 games in 2021.
I find it also safe to say that Waller is in a much better system than the Giants situation he was a part of. Daniel Jones was his QB for six games and Tyrod Taylor was his QB for 11 games in 2023. Neither QB played like a Top-20 QB.
Waller has been beat up later in his career, similar to former great TE Jordan Reed. Perhaps Waller can benefit from taking a year off to improve his body.
If Hill and Waller can stay healthy, there is no reason that Tua can’t lead the league in passing yards. In 2023, he led the league in passing yards!
Waller is a much better athlete than Jonnu Smith. If Smith can put up career numbers with McDaniel, prepare for Waller to repeat his glory days of being a Pro Bowler with the Raiders.
Not only did the Phins get their prized defensive back in Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they also found a TE to not only replace Smith but be an upgrade over Smith.
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