Sources: Raiders trading Waller to Giants
The Las Vegas Raiders are trading tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants in exchange for a third-round pick this year (100th overall), sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.
New York acquired that pick in the trade that sent wide receiver Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs last year.
Waller spent the last five seasons with the Raiders, establishing himself as one of the league's most explosive tight ends. The 30-year-old earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after catching 107 passes for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he battled injuries in the last two seasons and hasn't been able to replicate that production.
Waller, who's missed 14 games since 2021, was limited to 28 catches, 388 yards, and three TD receptions in nine appearances last year. The Georgia Tech product is under contract for four more seasons.
New Giants TE Darren Waller is due ...
- Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 14, 2023
2023: $12.475 million.
2024: $12 million.
2025: $13 million.
2026: $15 million.
$1.275M of it each year in per-game roster bonuses.
$200K of it each year in workout bonus.
Rest = base salary.
No guarantees after '23.
Adding weapons for quarterback Daniel Jones was an offseason priority for the Giants after running back Saquon Barkley led the club with 57 catches in 2022. Darius Slayton topped N.Y. with 724 receiving yards.
New York signed Jones to a four-year, $160-million extension this offseason and placed the franchise tag on Barkley. The Giants' tight end depth chart also features Daniel Bellinger, who was drafted in the fourth round last year. Bellinger had 268 yards and two touchdowns on 30 catches in 12 games as a rookie.
The Raiders have been making big changes on offense, releasing quarterback Derek Carr in February after nine seasons. Las Vegas has been busy in free agency too, reportedly adding quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
The Waller trade frees up $11 million in cap space for Las Vegas.
Multiple players reacted to the move on Twitter, including Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
Shits sad fr
- Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) March 14, 2023
The Green Bay Packers reportedly offered the Raiders a second-round pick for Waller prior to last year's trade deadline, but Las Vegas declined.
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