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The 2019 regular season is officially in the books, and while we're already looking ahead to the 2020 offseason, let's take some time to look back at the Raiders' roster, position by position, to see what the new year could hold for the Silver and Black.
Next up, the tight ends.
Overview:
Top to bottom, there probably wasn't a group on the 2019 Raiders' roster that performed better week after week than the tight ends, and what makes their performance even more impressive is that by and large they entered the season as a bit of an unknown entity.
Before Darren Waller established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL, he entered his first full season as a Raider with just four games in Silver and Black under his belt, and while he unquestionably had all the potential in the world, there's a big difference between production and potential.
Along with Waller, the Raiders drafted Foster Moreau out of LSU in the fourth round, and then rounded out the position group with veteran Derek Carrier, who ultimately outlasted Luke Willson during the team's stay in Napa for training camp.
With two, young guys and a veteran who only hauled in 13 receptions the season before, Frank Smith's group entered 2019 with something to prove, but give credit to all parties involved, because they certainly did that – and more.
When all was said and done, Waller led the Raiders in both receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,145), permanently etching himself in the annals of franchise history in the process.
Oh, and as Head Coach Jon Gruden, Derek Carr, and nearly everyone else in the Raiders' locker room said – No. 83 showed that he was indeed one of the best tight ends in the NFL, which is wild considering the man spent much of 2019 on a practice squad.
While Waller was certainly the crown jewel of the group, he also undoubtedly got a lot of help from his friends too, particularly young Mr. Moreau, who delivered a rookie campaign that got better and better, until it was unfortunately cut short due to injury.
Before the former LSU Tiger got injured Week 14, Moreau emerged as a consistent, red zone target for Derek Carr – hauling in five touchdowns – and also proved to be a valuable asset in the running game as well, providing excellent work at the line of scrimmage.
Not to be forgotten, Carrier also put together a quality 2019, appearing in all 16 games, scoring one touchdown, while also contributing on offense as well as special teams.
Eric Tomlinson also joined the squad for the stretch run, appearing in three games in Silver and Black before season's end.
Number to Know:
Five.
That's how many times in 2019, Darren Waller hit the century mark in receiving yards in a single game.
Not too shabby for a dude who had 75 receiving yards all of 2018.
Entering 2020…
Derek Carrier – Under Contract
Foster Moreau – Under Contract
Eric Tomlinson – Unrestricted Free Agent
Darren Waller – Under Contract
The health of the Las Vegas Raiders' tight ends group headed into 2020? In a word, strong.
The trio of Carrier, Moreau, and Waller – the main contributors from Frank Smith's group a year ago – are all under contract, and there's no reason to think that they won't be able to replicate their production from 2019.
That said, could I see the front office either using a late-round draft pick on a tight end or picking up another veteran in free agency to bolster the depth of the group? Surely, but at this point in the year, you can never have enough talent at any place on the roster.
Regardless of what moves are – or are not – made over the coming months, the nucleus of the tight end group is strong, and I expect that once again they'll be key contributors to the Raiders' offense in 2020.
Position Group MVP:
Come on, you guys know where this one is going.
Week after week, defensive coordinators knew – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that the Raiders wanted to get Darren Waller the ball, and knowing full well that was the plan, the athletic tight end still managed to eat.
As I said earlier, Waller hit the 100-yard mark five times in 2019, and really became the de facto No. 1 option out wide for much of the year.
What started as just the tiniest bit of hyperbole became a concrete fact by the end of the season; not only was Darren Waller the best tight end on the Raiders last year, he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL as well.
Check out part two of the best images taken during the Raiders' 2019 Season.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden heads to the locker room following the Raiders preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) celebrates with quarterback Mike Glennon (7) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) rushes during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs after making a catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the Raiders regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) goes up for a catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after a play during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) celebrates after making a tackle during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91), linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), and cornerback Daryl Worley (20) after a defensive stop during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) blocks for tight end Darren Waller (83) during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a first down during the Raiders regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) blocks for running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) makes a 18-yard touchdown catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) runs after making a catch during the Raiders regular season game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the Raiders regular season game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) runs after intercepting a pass during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) celebrates with linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders huddle before the the regular season game against the Chicago Bears.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates his 12-yard touchdown run with tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block as quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) stands on the field during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden stands on the field before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77), guard Gabe Jackson (66), offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams' (16) 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrate after Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) intercepts a pass during the regular season game against the Detroit Lions.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Detroit Lions.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Detroit Lions.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Detroit Lions.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) returns an interception during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) stiff arms the defender while returning an interception 56 yards for a touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) celebrates after making a 9-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates after making a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after a 3-yard touchdown run during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) celebrate during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) celebrates with teammates during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Raiders celebrate after cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) intercepted a pass during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New York Jets.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the regular season game against the New York Jets
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the New York Jets.
Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner during the regular season game against the New York Jets.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) breaks a tackle during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) is congratulated by wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) after rushing for a 14-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and safety D.J. Swearinger (21) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders safety D.J. Swearinger (21) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes to tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) is congratulated by fullback Alec Ingold (45) after a 1-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Tennessee Titans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs to the end zone on a 40-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) eyes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98), cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) and defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) celebrate during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) celebrates during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders defensive end Dion Jordan (95) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) sack the quarterback during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) celebrates with linebacker Marquel Lee (52) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes as guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders fans celebrate after quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
