Darren Waller Traded to Giants: Fantasy Football Impact (2023 NFL Free Agency)

The NFL tampering period is producing a frenzy of activity, and the Giants got involved in the action in a big way on Tuesday. New York is acquiring TE Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 100). Our analysts break down the move and take a look at the fantasy impact.

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Raiders Trade Darren Waller to Giants

Darren Waller is the newest member of big blue. Waller was limited to nine games last year due to injury. When Waller was active, he drew a 14.4% target share (17th) and a 19.4% air yard share (fifth) as the TE10 in fantasy points per game. Waller was 13th in PFF receiving grade and 12th in yards per route run (minimum 20 targets per PFF). He’s immediately installed as Daniel Jones‘ new number-one target in the passing game. The NFL Draft and further offseason transactions will likely alter the complexion of this passing attack before Week 1, but Waller figures to be no worse than the second option for Jones when it’s all said and done. Assuming he can stay healthy in 2023, Waller will remain a top-five tight end in fantasy.
– Derek Brown

The Giants needed to provide QB Daniel Jones with pass-catching help, and since an overhaul of their WR position is probably a multi-year project, a deal for one of the better pass-catching tight ends out there made sense. The Giants’ WR corps is among the worst in the league, and in a year with a weak group of free-agent receivers and a so-so class of rookie receivers, an adequate restocking of the WR room is going to take more than a single offseason – especially after the Giants had to cough up big money to keep Jones and RB Saquon Barkley in the fold. Getting a top pass-catching tight end was a way to circumvent this problem and get their quarterback some much-needed help. The trade also makes some sense from the Raiders’ perspective. They don’t need Waller as much as they used to now that they have Davante Adams and the newly signed Jakobi Meyers. Waller turns 31 in September and has missed 14 games due to injury over the last two seasons. The Raiders can slide the capable Foster Moreau into the starting lineup, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them draft one of the promising young members of this year’s loaded rookie TE class.

– Pat Fitzmaurice

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