TE Darren Waller, MIA (3 Viewers)

[Smack Tripper]

Any predictions for week 5 stats?

He scores a TD

 

[georg013]

Any predictions for week 5 stats?

He scores a TD

Or two

 

[Dez]

I was surprised how in some leagues how little Waller went for. In some he went for a decent amount.

It may be fool's gold but I picked him up a ton plus already had him in some dynasty leagues still.

 

[Dez]

Any predictions for week 5 stats?

Well normally how this turns out for most big waiver pickups after a big week is they go missing on a milk carton the next week ala Boutte. People spend a couple hundred FAAB and then hits the waiver wire 2 weeks later.

Let us hope Waller is not that

He probably needs to get you a TD to have any real value right now with how little snaps he is playing.

 

[menobrown]

I was surprised how in some leagues how little Waller went for. In some he went for a decent amount.

Big range for sure in both redraft and dynasty. I had one dynasty league where the winning bid was $400 and no one made a runner up bid.

But what surprised me, especially with how rough TE production is right now, that hardly anyone was trying to pick him up in FFPC leagues on the Sunday morning waiver run when McDaniel had confirmed he's be making his debut on MNF. I was able to grab him on a few teams for a few bucks where I could find a roster spot. Picked him up in a few more leagues Wednesday but was holding the line around 10-12% of my FAAB amount.

Now I got what feels like a million WDIS start calls between him, Kincaid and Mason Taylor and the way these things usually work for me is my joy over getting Waller cheap is probably going to blow up in my face and make me regret ever picking him up when I actually put him in my lineup while Taylor and/or Kincaid blow up.

 

[IHEARTFF]

I was surprised how in some leagues how little Waller went for. In some he went for a decent amount.

Big range for sure in both redraft and dynasty. I had one dynasty league where the winning bid was $400 and no one made a runner up bid.

But what surprised me, especially with how rough TE production is right now, that hardly anyone was trying to pick him up in FFPC leagues on the Sunday morning waiver run when McDaniel had confirmed he's be making his debut on MNF. I was able to grab him on a few teams for a few bucks where I could find a roster spot. Picked him up in a few more leagues Wednesday but was holding the line around 10-12% of my FAAB amount.

Now I got what feels like a million WDIS start calls between him, Kincaid and Mason Taylor and the way these things usually work for me is my joy over getting Waller cheap is probably going to blow up in my face and make me regret ever picking him up when I actually put him in my lineup while Taylor and/or Kincaid blow up.

Yep start/sit TE fun times

 

[kyoun1e]

I was surprised how in some leagues how little Waller went for. In some he went for a decent amount.

Big range for sure in both redraft and dynasty. I had one dynasty league where the winning bid was $400 and no one made a runner up bid.

But what surprised me, especially with how rough TE production is right now, that hardly anyone was trying to pick him up in FFPC leagues on the Sunday morning waiver run when McDaniel had confirmed he's be making his debut on MNF. I was able to grab him on a few teams for a few bucks where I could find a roster spot. Picked him up in a few more leagues Wednesday but was holding the line around 10-12% of my FAAB amount.

Now I got what feels like a million WDIS start calls between him, Kincaid and Mason Taylor and the way these things usually work for me is my joy over getting Waller cheap is probably going to blow up in my face and make me regret ever picking him up when I actually put him in my lineup while Taylor and/or Kincaid blow up.

Waller is the ultimate zero floor/high ceiling play this weekend.

Not sure what props he has this weekend, but I'd probably bet the under as bettors were mesmerized by his 2 TDs on like a crazy low # of snaps.

 

[Faust]

Darren Waller primed for bigger role in Dolphins' offense

 

[SoBeDad]

5-75-1 on 5 targets midway through the 2nd.

 

[Ilov80s]

I must concede I was very wrong about Waller. It took him a long time to get up to speed but at this point he's looking like he could be a major factor the season.

 

[The Frankman]

Darren Waller caught all five of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins’ Week 5 loss to the Panthers.

Waller scored two touchdowns in Week 4, his first game in over a year after retiring ahead of the 2024 season. He looked even closer to peak form in the first half of this game with multiple chunk plays in the first half and a four-yard touchdown to open the second quarter. Waller then vanished in the second half. He wasn’t targeted once and every stat he recorded on Sunday came in the first two quarters. Waller is still on a pitch count as he continues to get back into football shape, but his absence from the second-half box score will go down as one of the many Mike McDaniel blunders versus Carolina. Even as a part-time player, Waller is seeing the ball enough to move into the TE1 ranks heading into a Week 6 matchup with the Chargers.
- Rotoworld

This is such a great comeback story.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Darren Waller caught all five of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins’ Week 5 loss to the Panthers.

Waller scored two touchdowns in Week 4, his first game in over a year after retiring ahead of the 2024 season. He looked even closer to peak form in the first half of this game with multiple chunk plays in the first half and a four-yard touchdown to open the second quarter. Waller then vanished in the second half. He wasn’t targeted once and every stat he recorded on Sunday came in the first two quarters. Waller is still on a pitch count as he continues to get back into football shape, but his absence from the second-half box score will go down as one of the many Mike McDaniel blunders versus Carolina. Even as a part-time player, Waller is seeing the ball enough to move into the TE1 ranks heading into a Week 6 matchup with the Chargers.
- Rotoworld

This is such a great comeback story.

On all seriousness he’s a very good rapper as well. Happy for him.

 

[georg013]

Should he have had a bigger game?

 

[travdogg]

Should he have had a bigger game?

They said they were still gonna ease him in. He had double the snaps as week 4. If that trend continues (probably a big ask) I'd honestly wonder how many TEs will be better than Waller, as long as Waller stays healthy.

 

[SoBeDad]

Should he have had a bigger game?

Yes, but Tua said CAR was taking away the middle of the field after Waller's early success. I still think McDaniel should've found ways to scheme him open. No targets after the 10 minute mark in the 2nd quarter.

OTOH, Tua had little time to throw on most plays, so he had to make quick reads and throws. LG Jonah Savaiinaea was particularly bad. He came in as the worst rated guard per PFF and needs to learn from the bench if Miami really wants to win. Our right guard play is also near the bottom in pff.

 

[Monkian]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

 

[Drake Hater]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

Congrats man. I just drafted him four years too early. This guy could be a league winner if this usage keeps up.

 

[Monkian]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

Congrats man. I just drafted him four years too early. This guy could be a league winner if this usage keeps up.

I'm a little concerned that after a 5/76/1 start, Carolina adjusted their defense and he got 0 targets over the last 2 1/2 quarters. It can't really be that easy to scheme him out of the game plan, can it?

 

[Football Jones]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

Congrats man. I just drafted him four years too early. This guy could be a league winner if this usage keeps up.

I'm a little concerned that after a 5/76/1 start, Carolina adjusted their defense and he got 0 targets over the last 2 1/2 quarters. It can't really be that easy to scheme him out of the game plan, can it?

Not sure what happened in the 2nd half, but you can force the ball to Waller. Big, strong, and fast, he's got as much raw talent as anyone in the league.

I think McDaniel realizes that (Waller is off to a strong start, after all) so I expect him to get plenty of targets going forward.

 

[kyoun1e]

Should he have had a bigger game?

They said they were still gonna ease him in. He had double the snaps as week 4. If that trend continues (probably a big ask) I'd honestly wonder how many TEs will be better than Waller, as long as Waller stays healthy.

Gotta think he's top 5.

Snaps will continue to increase. He's basically a WR in this offense.

All that said, he's an injury waiting to happen.

Tinkering with selling high to a TE needy team since I have McBride. (Or maybe I trade McBride)?

 

[Drake Hater]

Should he have had a bigger game?

They said they were still gonna ease him in. He had double the snaps as week 4. If that trend continues (probably a big ask) I'd honestly wonder how many TEs will be better than Waller, as long as Waller stays healthy.

Gotta think he's top 5.

Snaps will continue to increase. He's basically a WR in this offense.

All that said, he's an injury waiting to happen.

Tinkering with selling high to a TE needy team since I have McBride. (Or maybe I trade McBride)?

As a McBride owner I'd (sadly) agree with potentially trading him.

 

[DarkKnightsGuru]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

Congrats man. I just drafted him four years too early. This guy could be a league winner if this usage keeps up.

I'm a little concerned that after a 5/76/1 start, Carolina adjusted their defense and he got 0 targets over the last 2 1/2 quarters. It can't really be that easy to scheme him out of the game plan, can it?

Tua is throwing to him. We became conservative and didnt do anything in the second half. Tua started to play scared

 

[JohnnyU]

I believe I was wrong about Waller. I thought he was washed.

 

[tkrull2.0]

I'm as happy as anyone here about getting Waller on my team, but everytime there's a new post in this thread...I fully expect to open it and discover the details of the inevitable injury.

 

[efactor]

I'm as happy as anyone here about getting Waller on my team, but everytime there's a new post in this thread...I fully expect to open it and discover the details of the inevitable injury.

Same. Just enjoy the moment I guess

 

[Faust]

David J. Gautieri
I can count the number of TE’s I’d start over Darren Waller the rest of the season on 1 hand.

Waller is leading all TE’s in YPRR (2.84).

He’s the only TE with a 90+ PFF Receiving Grade.

& his role is still growing (just 27/40 routes; 67.5% this week).

TE1 in PPG (18.3).

https://x.com/gurufantasywrld/status/1975322037725110400?s=61

 

[Monkian]

David J. Gautieri
I can count the number of TE’s I’d start over Darren Waller the rest of the season on 1 hand.

Waller is leading all TE’s in YPRR (2.84).

He’s the only TE with a 90+ PFF Receiving Grade.

& his role is still growing (just 27/40 routes; 67.5% this week).

TE1 in PPG (18.3).

https://x.com/gurufantasywrld/status/1975322037725110400?s=61

For pure upside, I can't disagree. Jonnu's last 8 games last year were all 10+ pts PPR, with 5 of them being 20+. When Kittle comes back, I will have to consider flexing Waller and I typically don't even bother carrying a 2nd TE.

 

[Fat Nick]

Last time I had this guy on a roster it was 2021 and he killed me. Time for some redemption maybe. Kudos to anyone who got this guy on a best ball team.

Same, '22 and '23. When he came back this year, I didn't know what team he was on.

My pre-draft notes included:
- DO NOT draft Darren Waller
- DO draft MIA TE

{Head explodes}

He burned me twice in the past...with that said, he's on waivers in one of my leagues, and I've got Kraft on a bye, so I'm taking a flyer on him for a week. To be fair, it's not violating your rules if you get him off Waivers...you didn't draft him.

You eased my conscience enough to pick him up off waivers. Thanks!

So I grabbed him as a fill-in for both Kraft and Bowers in another league and he helped me out a lot too!

 

[Proteus]

I'm as happy as anyone here about getting Waller on my team, but everytime there's a new post in this thread...I fully expect to open it and discover the details of the inevitable injury.

Right. And the kind that says "Darren Waller's hamstring exited the back of his leg skin."

5 minutes later.

"Darren Waller has retired from the NFL. Again. This time for keeps."

 

[Drake Hater]

David J. Gautieri
I can count the number of TE’s I’d start over Darren Waller the rest of the season on 1 hand.

Waller is leading all TE’s in YPRR (2.84).

He’s the only TE with a 90+ PFF Receiving Grade.

& his role is still growing (just 27/40 routes; 67.5% this week).

TE1 in PPG (18.3).

https://x.com/gurufantasywrld/status/1975322037725110400?s=61

Lol this guy was consensus outside the top 200 even after he signed with the Dolphins. I don't blame anyone for that but just goes to show that basically no one knows anything.