Packers: What would Darren Waller add to Green Bay’s offense?
According to Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV, the Green Bay Packers are engaged in trade talks surrounding Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller.
Nagler reported that both teams have an eye on getting a deal done before or during this week’s NFL Draft.
This makes sense from both teams’ point of view.
Green Bay is looking to improve its pass-catchers in a big effort to chase a Super Bowl. The Raiders are paying both Davante Adams and Derek Carr big contracts. Hunter Renfrow will be looking for a new contract as well. You can’t pay every single player.
What a move this would be by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst.
Waller is an absolute freak. He can line up anywhere. He can run any kind of route. His ability to line up out wide and beat the opposing cornerback one-on-one is elite.
Over the last three seasons, he has eclipsed over 3,000 yards receiving.
In 2020, he set a career high in receptions (107), yards (1,196), and touchdowns (nine). The year before that, he caught 90 passes for 1,145 yards. Over his last four seasons, he has averaged nearly 12 yards per reception.
Waller is a top-three TE in the game along with Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and San Francisco’s George Kittle.
He was built for Matt LaFleur’s offense in Green Bay.
His run-blocking ability is top-tier, which is a big part of the offensive scheme.
But imagine Aaron Rodgers and Waller together, especially in the red zone. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket would be the best TE that Rodgers has ever played with. The pass-catching corps in Green Bay would be elevated immensely.
Once Robert Tonyan gets back from his ACL injury, Green Bay could very well have two top-10 receiving tight ends and a fantastic run-blocking tight end in Marcedes Lewis.
The value of Waller is potentially a second-rounder. Imagine if Green Bay could swing a trade for the matchup nightmare while also keeping both of their first-round picks.
Adding a young, talented receiver this week would be icing on the cake.
Waller was reportedly originally part of the Davante Adams trade, but it was disallowed by the league. NFL rules state that a player who has not signed his franchise tag cannot be traded for another player.
Now, the Packers are reportedly trying to get him again. If they can, look out.
Offensively, they have the greatest thrower of the football in history in Aaron Rodgers.
After adding veteran Sammy Watkins, Green Bay could be just one talented receiver away from getting back to its old self in 2020, a season in which Matt LaFleur’s team led the NFL in scoring.
Waller would make the Packers’ TE room one of the deepest offensive position rooms in the game.
Rodgers and the Packers would form one of the premier offenses in the game with the addition of Waller. There is no question about that.