2. Darren Waller posts the second 1,000-yard season by a Giants TE
One of the biggest storylines of this NFL offseason was that the New York Giants acquired tight end Darren Waller in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Big Blue would send a third-round pick they received from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for receiver Kadarius Toney.
The 2020 Pro Bowl tight end immediately emerges as one of Daniel Jones' primary targets in the passing game next season. Waller ranks third in catches (280) and receiving yards (3,394) among NFL tight ends since 2019. He also recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020 with the Raiders before suffering multiple injuries the last two seasons.
Although many NFL experts are not high on Waller to succeed due to his recent injuries and the pressure he may receive in New York, former Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey supports the Giants bringing him to East Rutherford and says the fans will love having him as well.
“He can flat-out run. I’m a big fan… He’s going to love playing in New York and I’m sure [the fans] are going to love having him.”
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 22, 2023
Jeremy Shockey talks to @KimJonesSports about new Giants TE Darren Waller - only in @NewsdaySports! https://t.co/vu7mqRaTj6
Jeremy Shockey played six seasons with the Giants. He won the inaugural Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award in 2002, earned four Pro Bowl selections, and was a part of the Giants' third Super Bowl victory in 2007. Shockey also came close to posting 1,000 receiving yards twice with Big Blue in 2002 (894) and 2005 (891).
There has still only been one tight end in New York Giants history to reach that milestone: Mark Bavaro, who posted 1,001 yards in 1986. His contributions that year were crucial in leading the Giants to their first Super Bowl ring.
We'll see if Waller can return to his old ways and follow in Bavaro's footsteps as the second tight end in New York Giants history to reach 1,000 yards in a single season.