Giants Make No-Lose Trade for TE Darren Waller

Despite making it to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs last year, the New York Giants entered this free-agency period with multiple holes on their roster. Too many holes, presumably, to be filled in one offseason. General manager Joe Schoen adressed a couple of those holes early in free agency, signing Bobby Okereke to address New York’s thin linebacking corps, and adding Rakeem Nunez-Roches to help their defensive line depth. But perhaps Big Blue’s most desperate need was also its toughest to meet. The Giants were starved for quality pass catchers, and there were no obvious avenues to obtain one. This free-agency class was devoid of elite weapons, and the chances of drafting one at 25th overall are low. What nobody saw coming, though, was the move Schoen made yesterday.

The Deal

As was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Giants acquired tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a compensatory third-round pick (100th overall) in the upcoming NFL draft. New York using the very same pick they received from the Kansas City Chiefs in return for Kadarius Toney to get Waller gives this trade some poetic justice. But most importantly, this trade can give Big Blue the number-one receiving threat they’ve craved for so long.

Waller the Baller

Yes, when healthy, Waller is one of the few tight ends that can function as an offense’s top receiving option. Originally drafted as a wide receiver in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Waller struggled with substance-abuse issues and corresponding suspensions handed down from the league. It wasn’t until 2019, Waller’s first full season with the Raiders and his first as a tight end, that he blossomed into the star we know today. That year, he caught 90 passes for 1145 yards and three touchdowns. For reference, that’s more receiving yards than any Giants receiver has had since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2016. Waller’s 2020 was even better, racking up 107 catches for 1196 yards and nine touchdowns.

Injury Concerns

Over the last two seasons, however, Waller missed 14 combined games due to various lower-body injuries. These recent durability issues, especially for a player who’ll be 31-years old next season, are probably what prompted Las Vegas to move off Waller at this point. Waller still produced over these last two years when healthy, with an average of 13 yards per reception. But he hasn’t been quite as good as his 2019/2020 prime.

Still, players standing at 6’6″ and 255 pounds who runs routes like a wide receivers are hard to come by. The Giants just got one for a late day-two pick. Not to mention, New York’s offensive coaching staff has a history of thriving with tight ends. Head coach Brian Daboll is a former tight ends coach who helped develop Pro Bowler Dawson Knox with the Buffalo Bills. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka comes from the Kansas City Chiefs, where Travis Kelce is a focal point of an elite passing attack.

Low Risk, High Reward

And the cherry on top? Waller has a guaranteed salary of $8.25 million for 2023, but then has no more guaranteed money left on his deal that extends through 2026. That means that if Waller’s injury issues persist or worsen and the Giants want to move on after this season, they can do so without any penalty against their salary-cap space. In other words, the upside of this trade for Big Blue is through the roof, but the downside is negligible.

Ultimately, the Giants got a potential number-one receiving threat using a low-value draft pick and almost no financial commitment. As our senior editor and Raiders writer Terrance Biggs texted me, “Get Happy!”

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.