In what was a slow Pre-Free Agency Tuesday, the Giants spiced things up by trading the 3rd round pick #100 (acquired from the Chiefs in the Kadarius Toney trade) to the Las Vegas Raiders for former Pro-Bowl TE Darren Waller. So in stage 2 of roster building, GM Joe Schoen parlays Dave Gettleman’s last 1st round pick (Toney) into acquiring a veteran 6’6″ 255lbs Pro-Bowler with excellent hands. Similar to Toney, the question is can Waller stay on the field and return to his productive achievements of 2020.
While most fans have been hoping/expecting the Giants to find linebackers, offensive linemen, wide receivers, defensive tackles, and cornerbacks in free agency, trading for a tight end wasn’t on the radar. But, then again, GM Joe Schoen doesn’t show his cards very often. The rumors have been that the Giants were interested in free agent TEs such as Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz. Waller was rumored to be on the trade block last year before his season-ending hamstring injuries. When the Raiders landed free agent WR Jakobi Meyers earlier today, that made Waller available again.
Waller has four years remaining at $11.8M increasing to $15M. However, the Giants have a club option to opt out after the 2023 season with no dead cap money. In essence, the Giants can turn this into a one-year deal if Waller cannot stay on the field.
Waller will pair with the Giants’ young stud TE Daniel Bellinger for 2023. No one should worry whether this impedes Bellinger’s growth into a premier TE. The Giants deployed two TE formations (called 12 Personnel) very frequently in 2022. This may have been due to the lack of WR depth. But the Giants were highly successful with it.
The Giants continue to improve and solidify this team for 2023. After securing key players from the 2022 Giants team before the “tampering period” began Monday, the front office has added two more key pieces to this team by signing ILB Bobby Okereke and now adding TE Darren Waller today.
You’ve got to love this Giants staff. Keep it going GM Joe!!
