Buy Darren Waller!
By: Jake Rajala
Darren Waller flexed his gifted athleticism in Week 4, which was his first game in over a year. Just as Gronk came out of retirement and didn’t miss a beat, Waller has appeared to be the next TE to come off the couch and dazzle.
In Week 4, Waller unleashed two touchdowns. He followed up his performance with a touchdown and 78 yds in Week 5. So, how long should we expect Waller to put up 17 or 18 pts in each contest? Well, I honestly love his outlook. He can win in numerous ways. The Phins also don’t have Tyreek Hill, which opens up more plays for Waller, as they know he can be a match-up nightmare.
PFF has handed Waller a grade of 86 for his Week 5 performance. Jaylen Waddle and Tua recorded higher PFF ratings.
Waller can be an excellent flex option. I pegged him in my slot alongside Travis Hunter. I imagined that one of them would pop out and have a quality game. Well, I was fortunate to see Waller be that guy.
Tua loves to throw to his tight ends. Jonnu Smith was a Top-10 TE under Tua and Mike McDaniel. Athletic freaks at TE tend to have favorable match-ups. Tua has led the league in passing yards and in completion percentage. Tua is arguably the best QB that Waller has played with.
How thrilled should we be for the long-term outlook of Waller?
I don’t expect Waller to play more than a couple of seasons. He’s already 33. Travis Kelce is 36, yet he’s a baller. I still believe Waller is more athletic than Kelce and most of the other TEs. He should be able to stand out for a couple more seasons.
The Phins QB Tua and Mike McDaniel should be in Miami for at least a few more seasons. This is important because he will grow and be in a scheme where he has chemistry.
I highly recommend acquiring Waller in a trade. I would push a second round pick and another TE to try and acquire Waller. As an owner of Waller, I would move him for a second round pick and a TE. I could use the second round pick to draft a young TE.
If Waller makes the Pro Bowl, McDaniel will have to pay the man. He could make Hill expendable. The former Chiefs WR is over 30 and coming off a serious knee injury. This even comes after his worst season since his rookie year.
I really believe that Waller is still the same TE that ruined AFC West defenses in a Raiders uniform. Clearly, he’s proving to be a stud thus far.
Waller could also be moved to acquire a better TE. I don’t believe he’s a Top-5 TE, but that doesn’t mean other people aren’t drinking the kool-aid. A second round pick with Waller could be used to acquire a TE like Trey McBride.
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