Ceiling/Floor: Darren Waller to the New York Giants

Welcome to Ceiling/Floor where I dissect trades, signings, firings and hirings in order to determine the best case and worst case scenarios.

The Giants got a baller in Darren Waller. 🔥@Giants | @Rackkwall83 pic.twitter.com/BKE4YgDHhs

— NFL (@NFL) March 14, 2023

Giants get:

TE Darren Waller

Raiders get:

3rd round draft pick (no. 100)

Ceiling

Since 2019, Darren Waller ranks 3rd among tight ends in receptions and receiving yards behind only Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews so it’s safe to say, New York just acquired one of the top tight ends in the sport.

It’s crucial—especially for a scrambling quarterback that likes to boogie outside of the pocket—to have a big target in the middle of the field to always fall back on when a play breaks down. A great tight end will almost always find themselves in a winnable mismatch against a linebacker who isn’t quick enough for pass coverage.

Darren Waller pulls into the parking lot on the first day and he’s instantly Daniel Jones’s best target. He’s better than Richie James, believe it or not.

I have complete faith in this coaching staff’s ability to highlight a tight end, considering their resumes of success. Brian Daboll was the tight end coach in New England. He helped develop Rob Gronkowski into the Hall of Famer we all know.

In Buffalo, Daboll helped turn 3rd-round pick, Dawson Knox, into an All-Star.

Giants offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, worked directly with Travis Kelce in Kansas City for almost a decade. The coaching in the Giants facility was responsible for molding the best tight ends in NFL history.

Put Darren Waller out there and suddenly the pressure comes off the receivers. Now Isaiah Hodgins, Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson all have the chance to step up. And don’t be shocked if DeAndre Hopkins ends up in a Giants uniform too.

Floor

In the last two seasons, Darren Waller suffered back, knee and hamstring injuries. He played only 9 games last season and spent most of the year on injured reserve. At age 30, a player who is already deteriorating physically doesn’t suddenly end up super healthy for the rest of their career.

But players get hurt. It’s the NFL where players get bonuses for murdering their opponents. the worst-case scenario is the Giants might have traded for a guy who could be injured.

The Giants are winning the NFC East and no one can tell me otherwise. Maybe his wife, Kelsey Plum, ends up on the New York Liberty soon too with Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. New York is about to become title town. Wow, what a time to be alive.

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