Darren Waller Un-Retires, Traded to Miami Dolphins

In what amounts essentially to a corresponding move to the Jonnu Smith trade, Miami has found its presumptive new TE1 in former Giants and Raiders TE Darren Waller. Waller was scooped out of retirement, and at age 33, we’ll see if the former top-2 fantasy tight end has anything left in the tank as he looks to replace Smith in the Dolphins offense. The last time we saw Waller was back in 2023 when he was catching passes from Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, and Tommy Devito in New York; he lasted one season with the Giants and put up just 552 receiving yards and one touchdown in 12 games of action. Waller hasn’t played a full season of games since his best years in 2020 and 2021 with the Raiders, and he’s only gotten older since. He’ll also be competing with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane for targets from Tua Tagovailoa; a tall task, to be sure, but one that can be completed as evidenced by Jonnu Smith’s 111 targets last year in the same capacity. While Waller has long been an intriguing talent and fantasy pick over the years, it’s hard to imagine a situation where he gets peppered like Jonnu did as the Dolphins’ lead tight end, and he profiles as nothing more than an upside dart throw at the position for teams looking to add some upside late in drafts or off the waivers.