Rob Gronkowski explains why Darren Waller will return to 'Pro Bowl-caliber' form with Giants
Although injuries have hampered tight end Darren Waller's production over the past few seasons, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski believes he'll return to form with the Giants.
Las Vegas traded Waller, 30, to New York earlier this offseason in what was a somewhat shocking move. The Giants sent the 100th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Raiders as compensation, which they used to select Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker.
During a recent appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams," Gronkowski admitted the trade "surprised" him since Josh McDaniels, his former OC, relies heavily on tight ends in his offense. Gronkowski, however, told host Kay Adams that Waller should continue to thrive, perhaps even more so, under Giants HC Brian Daboll, his ex-tight ends coach from his New England days.
"When I saw Darren Waller go, I was kind of very surprised because I know how much Josh McDaniels loves to use tight ends in his system, so I completely made that trade, actually," Gronkowski said. "But he actually went to my other coach, Brian Daboll, with the New York Giants, and he loves to use tight ends even more.
"I say this: Watch Darren Waller have a year this year. He's going to have a year…" he continued. "...Daboll is going to find a way to use him, utilize his skill set like no other. He's going to be all over the field."
After Adams urged Gronkowski to disclose what having "a year" entails for Waller, the future Hall of Famer didn't forecast a Super Bowl victory but rather another Pro Bowl selection.
"The last two years, he's had a couple injuries and stuff. He wasn't on top of his game, but this year I believe he's going to come back, and he's going to be a Pro Bowl-caliber type player."
While he's optimistic about Waller's future in New York, Gronkowski teased that the success he predicts won't exceed his 18 touchdowns from 2011, the single-season record by a tight end.
A lengthy battle with substance abuse nearly derailed Waller's career, but he overcame his struggles and found a home with the Raiders in 2018. The following season, Waller converted from wide receiver to tight end and emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league.
In 2019 and 2020, Waller recorded at least 90 receptions and 1,100 receiving yards but has played only 20 games over the last two seasons. Despite this, Waller still ranks third among tight ends in receptions (280), receiving yards (3.394) and yards per game (64) since 2019.
As the Giants aim to build on their resurgent 2022 season, if Gronkowski's prediction holds true, it'd be a significant step in cutting the talent gap with division-rival Philadelphia.
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