‘We think he’s a superstar.’ Why the Raiders see big things coming for Darren Waller
Jason Witten studied plenty of film on fellow Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller.
It left Witten, in his first season with the team after 16 with the Dallas Cowboys, believing Waller can make bigger strides with the Raiders.
“You see the way he studies it and what he wants out of this year and his career,” Witten said on a Zoom call. “He’s already a star, but I don’t think there is a limit to what he can achieve in this league at the tight end position.”
Raiders coach Jon Gruden already calls the 27-year-old Waller a “superstar” after a strong 2019 season in which he finished with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns.
He was recently named to the NFL’s Top 100, checking in at No. 99.
Waller, listed at 6-foot-6, said he’s learning a lot from Witten and wants to keep improving. Waller is entering his fifth season, but last year was his first as a full-time starter.
“I don’t think anybody gets off on snaps as quickly as (Witten) does,” he said. “He’s usually the first one to 5 yards. He’ll be quicker than receivers for the first 5 yards. I feel like that is something I need to improve on. He always has suggestions.”
Overcoming addiction
Before Waller’s success last season, he had to overcome a dark time in his life.
In 2017, the NFL leveled a one-year suspension on Waller for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
He took the punishment seriously and worked to get back on the field.
He was reinstated in 2018 and rejoined the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders signed Waller off the practice squad soon thereafter.
“He had a dark portion of his life there for a while that not a lot of people come back from,” Gruden said. “I hope a lot of young people out there get the real story behind Waller, that you can beat addiction. If you just listen to Darren Waller on how he did it, he’s a great source of leadership and proof that you can be great even though you had some really dark times.”
This week, Waller is three years sober.
He wants to continue to share his story and inspire others.
“It means that I’m not the same person that I was,” he said. “Before, I wasn’t somebody that was worth looking up to or inspirational in any way. Now, I’m kind of free from that. I can really step into my calling and write my own story. Be of service to other people in the process and inspire people.”
He even inspired his teammates this week, Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor said. The franchise is in its first season in Las Vegas, with players finally back together and hoping to complete a full schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Darren Waller said something real impactful the other day about how during this time players have to really find that self-motivation in order to grow, but not only do you want to motivate yourself, you have to be able to motivate your peers when you’re in this building.” he said.
Simple goals, big payoff?
Like other players, Waller has goals. And his are pretty simple, he said.
With Witten’s help, he believes he can achieve them.
“I would probably just say improvements on fundamentals,” he said. “I felt like I got better by focusing on the simple things. I can get the big picture things, but my mind can stray from the small details at times. So, it’s just staying on them at all times.
“Jason has already been an outstanding help. Wish we could’ve been able to be with him in person every day with a normal offseason. But you can’t ask for much more than what he’s doing for us right now.”
Witten predicts Waller will keep improving.
“He’s big, he’s long, he’s athletic, he’s extremely fast,” he said. “He’s just got a great feel and understanding.”
Gruden said they have “big plans” for Waller after adding complementary talent in the offseason. Las Vegas selected two wide receivers in the NFL draft in Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards. The Raiders also signed Witten and Agholor in free agency.
“That’s why we brought in other receivers, to take the pressure off of him,” the coach said. “We brought in another tight end, so we don’t have to have Darren do it all for us all the time.
“The big thing is lean on his experience, get yourself physically ready for the grind, because we’re going to use him. He’s a big part of every package that we have.”
