The New York Giants traded a 2023 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason. In exchange, they received tight end Darren Waller. This was looked at by many as a steal for the Giants, who were desperate for a playmaker and a weapon to help their quarterback Daniel Jones. Their connection was great to watch in the preseason, especially in the second game against the Panthers.
Unfortunately, Waller suffered a hamstring injury against the New York Jets in week 8 that kept him out for five games. Known for his injury history, it wasn’t surprising to see him miss games again. Since his return in week 14, he hasn’t done much for the team. It begs the question: is it time to move on from him?
The Case FOR Moving On
Waller has already been known for being injury-riddled. He has not played a full season since 2020 and appeared in just 17 games from 2021-2022. His productivity declined in the process, as he went from having a 1000-yard season in 2020 to 665 in 2021. 2022 was even worse, gaining just 388 yards.
Most importantly, he had just five touchdowns in his last two seasons as a Raider (9 in 2020). Maybe that was why it was easy for the Raiders to just move on from him for a third-round pick.
In his first year as a Giant, it has been much of the same for Waller. Along with the injuries, he has just one touchdown on the year and 507 receiving yards. With expectations being he would be a 1000-yard type of guy for New York, he has not come even close to it.
Plus, you can never have enough cap space. The Giants would save $12 million in 2024 by cutting him next year (post-June 1st, according to Over The Cap). For a guy that hasn’t contributed much since his arrival, it’s something to keep in mind. Add in the fact the Giants could draft a tight end in this year’s draft (Ja’Tavion Sanders, Luke Lachey) and Waller may be expendable (he is 31 years old).
The Case AGAINST Moving On
Look, we can not overreact after one bad season. We get the injury history and everything, but Waller is one of the best tight ends in the league when healthy. The last time the Giants had a player of his caliber at the position, it was Jeremy Shockey.
This offseason would allow Waller to (hopefully) fully recover from his hamstring injury and be 100% for 2024. With a likely rookie quarterback under center for the team next year, he will need all the playmakers he can get including Waller.
Plus, the Giants would eat up over $7 million in cap space if they cut him before June 1st while also saving $7 million. Not a great tradeoff.
Even with the injury, Darren Waller is still second on the team in receiving with 507 yards (trailing Darius Slayton). If the Giants’ offense can take things to the next level next season, he could have a bounce-back year and surpass 1000 yards for the first time in four years. If his games against Arizona (six receptions for 76 yards) and Washington (seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown) mean anything, it’s that he can still produce with the best of them.
The Verdict
The Giants should give Waller another chance to prove himself. Whoever is under center needs a dangerous weapon to throw the ball to. When healthy, Waller serves that role. It’s just his injury history that is concerning. If he misses games once again next season, we can revisit this and conclude the Giants should move on from him eventually. For now, get him ready for next season and see if he can return to his 2020 form. Daniel Bellinger isn’t TE1 material, and who knows if the tight end you possibly could get in this year’s draft will be as dangerous as Waller is. Give Darren Waller another chance. Keep him on the roster, for now.
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