The Las Vegas Raiders found a new breakout star in 2019. Tight end Darren Waller was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round back in 2015. However, off-field issues derailed his career early on.
After just two seasons with the Ravens, Waller missed the entire 2017 season due to a suspension.
At that point in his career, the tight end had just 12 receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns in 18 games.
In 2018, Waller joined the Raiders, hoping to restart his career. That season, he appeared in four games, catching all six targets that came his way, for 75 yards.
Then came 2019. Waller racked up a ridiculous 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. All were obviously career-highs.
The Raiders have added a few tight ends this offseason, including veteran Jason Witten. Adding a future Hall of Famer might make some believe the Raiders don't have complete trust in Waller.
However, this could be the perfect move to maximize Waller's potential.
As we know, Witten has been a great tight end throughout his long career. Even now he's still very reliable, having piled up 63 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Witten is not in Vegas to take anything away from Waller, though.
Waller is the clear star, and Witten is just there to make things easier for him.
Additionally, the Raiders don't have the best weapons at receiver. Therefore, teams can lock in on Waller more. Any little bit of defensive distraction helps, and Witten can take some eyes off of Waller in two-tight-end sets.
It's likely that Witten knows the situation he is going into. He isn't heading to the Raiders expecting to be their star. In fact, at this point in his career that's probably not even what he wants.
So it's not like they are bringing in someone who is going to step on Waller's toes. If anything he's going to guide him. What's the best thing he can do?
Witten is an expert route runner.
Yes, Witten is extremely slow. It looks like he's running through molasses. Yet, he always seems to be open. A quarterback will scan the field and poof, like magic, Witten will just appear at a spot with no defender within five yards of him.
Last season Waller did a lot of things right. But it could never hurt for him to have a mentor. Witten, for example, can teach him the secrets to running routes so perfectly.
Waller was a star in 2019. That was just one season, though. There is a lot of work to be done before he is truly an established star at the position. Witten is the perfect mentor to ensure that Waller keeps improving and stays on the right path.
Waller plus Witten's route-running tutelage and mentorship? That could create one of the best tight ends in the game, with no one doubting him.
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