TRANSACTIONS: Selected by Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, May 2, 2015...Waived by Ravens, Sept. 1, 2018...Signed by Ravens to practice squad, Sept. 2, 2018...Signed by Oakland Raiders to active roster, Nov. 27, 2018.
In 2020, put together the finest season by a tight end in franchise history, setting career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196) and receiving TDs (nine) en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.
With 107 receptions in 2020, broke Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown's franchise record for most receptions in a single season (104 in 1997).
Set the franchise record in 2019 – and matched it again in 2020 – for most 100-yard receiving games (five) by a tight end in a single season, while also leading all tight ends in the NFL.
CAREER: A veteran tight end who enters his fifth season with the Silver and Black after originally signing to the Raiders active roster during Week 13 of the 2018 season from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad...Has appeared in 65 games with 46 starts over his career, totaling 270 receptions for 3,184 yards and 16 receiving TDs…Became the second tight end in franchise history to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back campaigns, joining Raiders great TE Todd Christensen…Became the only tight end in club annals to record back-to-back seasons with at least 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards…In 2021, started all 11 games he appeared in and recorded 55 receptions for 665 yards with two TDs…In 2020, earned Pro Bowl honors after setting career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196) and receiving TDs (nine), while tying his team-record of 100-yard contests (five) from the previous year…With 107 receptions, broke Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown's former record for most catches in a single season (104 in 1997)…Became just the sixth tight end in NFL history to log over 100 receptions in a single season…His 107 receptions rank third all-time among tight ends in NFL history…Became just the second tight end in NFL lore to log at least 10 receptions, 200 receiving yards and two TD receptions in a single contest…In 2019, set then-career highs in every major offensive category, recording 90 receptions for 1,145 receiving yards and three TDs....Named a Pro Bowl alternate and broke the club record, while leading all NFL tight ends for most 100-yard receiving games (five) by a tight end in a single season…Appeared in four games for the Raiders in 2018, recording six receptions for 75 yards…In 2016, appeared in 12 games with three starts, logging 10 receptions, 85 receiving yards and two TDs…Played in six games with one start as a rookie in 2015.
2021: Started all 11 games he appeared in, missing six contests due to injury...Recorded 55 receptions for 665 yards with two TDs...(9/13) vs. Bal.: Finished with 10 receptions for 105 yards with one TD...Registered his 11th career 100-yard receiving game and his fourth career game with 10 or more receptions...The contest marked his fourth straight game with 100-plus receiving yards, dating back to Dec. 17, 2020...(9/19) at Pit.: Started and recorded 65 yards on five receptions with a 25-yard long...(9/26) vs. Mia.: Recorded five receptions for 54 yards in the win...(10/4) at LAC: Finished with four receptions for 50 yards, adding one TD...(10/10) vs. Chi.: Recorded four receptions for 45 yards...(10/17) at Den.: Recorded five receptions for 59 yards (11.8 avg.) with a 33-yard long...(11/7) at NYG: Returned to action and recorded a game-high 92 receiving yards on seven receptions...(11/14) vs. KC: Started and recorded four receptions for 24 yards...(11/21) vs. Cin.: Recorded 116 yards on seven receptions...(11/25) at Dal.: Recorded two catches for 33 yards...(1/9/22) vs. LAC: Returned two action, recording two receptions for 22 yards...Postseason: (1/15/22) at Cin.: Recorded seven receptions for a team-high 76 yards in his first postseason contest.
2020: Earned his first Pro Bowl honor after recording career highs with 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and nine TDs...Surpassed WR Tim Brown's record (104 in 1997) for most receptions in a single season in franchise history...Became just the sixth tight end in league history to surpass 100 receptions in a single season...Recorded at least five receptions in 13 contests...Posted five games with at least 100 receiving yards, tying his team record from 2019...Finished first in the NFL among tight ends with 107 receptions, second with 1,196 yards and third with nine TDs...Finished fourth in the league with 572 yards after catch...His nine TDs tied for 10th in the NFL among all players...From Weeks 13-15, recorded the most receiving yards (425) by a tight end in a three-game span in NFL history, surpassing Jimmy Graham and Shannon Sharpe's previous record of 413 yards set in 2013 and 1996, respectively...(9/13) at Car.: Posted a team-high six receptions for 45 yards...(9/21) vs. NO: Led the team in receptions for the second consecutive week, finishing with 12 catches for 103 yards and one TD...Recorded his first TD reception of the season on a 1-yard pass from QB Derek Carr...Joined Brown as the only Raiders player to record multiple career games with at least 12 receptions...Finished with the second-most receptions by a tight end in a single game in Monday Night Football history...(9/27) at NE: Hauled in two passes for nine yards...(10/4) vs. Buf.: Led the club with 88 yards on nine receptions (9.8 avg.)...(10/11) at KC: Led the team with five receptions...Finished with 48 receiving yards on five receptions, while also hauling in a TD pass from Carr...(10/25) vs. TB: Finished with 50 receiving yards on six receptions, while also hauling in a TD pass from Carr...Led all Raiders receivers with six receptions on the day...(11/1) at Cle.: Led both teams with a game-high five receptions on the afternoon...Finished with 28 receiving yards...(11/8) at LAC: Finished the day with a team-high five receptions for 22 yards with one TD...Hauled in a 2-yard TD pass from Carr...(11/15) vs. Den.: Recorded three receptions for 37 yards...(11/22) vs. KC: Finished with seven receptions for a team-high 88 receiving yards with one TD...(11/29) at Atl.: Finished with four receptions for 23 receiving yards...(12/6) at NYJ: Finished with 13 receptions for 200 yards and two TD receptions...Became the fourth tight end in NFL history to record at least 200 receiving yards and two TD receptions...Became the second tight end in NFL history to record 10 receptions, 200 receiving yards and two TDs in a contest…His 200 receiving yards were the most by a tight end since TE George Kittle totaled 210 yards in Week 14 of 2018...He became the fourth player in Raiders history to surpass 200 receiving yards in a single game...Became the first tight end since TE Jordan Reed in Week 16 of the 2015 season to have 100 receiving yards and two receiving TDs in the first half of a game...Posted at least 12 receptions for the third time in his career, tying Brown for the most such games in Raiders history (three)...Registered his seventh career 100-yard receiving game...(12/13) vs. Ind.: Recorded seven receptions for 75 yards in the contest...Became the second tight end in franchise history to record at least 80 receptions in multiple seasons...(12/17) vs. LAC: Finished with nine receptions for 150 yards with one TD in the contest...Hauled in a 35-yard TD pass from QB Marcus Mariota, marking his eighth TD of the season...Became just the third player in Raiders history to log at least 90 receptions in multiple seasons, joining Brown (four times) and TE Todd Christensen (two times)...Recorded his second game with at least 150 receiving yards in the last three weeks...(12/26) vs. Mia.: Totaled five receptions for 112 yards (22.4 avg)...Became only the second tight end in Raiders history to record multiple 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, joining Christensen (three times: 1983-84 and 1986)...Set a new Raiders record for most receptions in a single season by a tight end (98), surpassing Christensen's 95 in 1986...Became just the third player in Raiders history to log at least 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in multiple seasons...Became the first tight end in franchise history to record at least 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons...Recorded his ninth career 100-yard receiving contest…(1/3/21) at Den.: Finished the day with nine receptions for 117 yards with one TD and a two-point conversion...Set the single-season franchise record for most receptions with 107, surpassing Brown's previous record of 104, and becoming just the second player in franchise history to eclipse 100 receptions...Recorded his 10th career 100-yard receiving contest, second most among tight ends in club history…His 10 games with at least 100 receiving yards since the start of the 2019 season are the most in the NFL by a tight end.
2019: Started all 16 contests for the first time in his career, setting then-career highs with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards with three TDs...Finished the season ranked first among tight ends in the NFL in yards after the catch (570), second in receiving yards (1,145) and second in receptions (90)...Became just the second tight end in franchise history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season...Became only the fifth player in franchise history to record at least 90 receptions in a single season...Named a Pro Bowl alternate and broke the club record, while leading the all NFL tight ends, for most 100-yard receiving games (five) by a tight end in a single season...(9/9) vs. Den.: Posted seven receptions and 70 receiving yards...His seven receptions tied for a game high...(9/15) vs. KC: Led the team with six receptions for 63 yards (10.5 avg.)...Recorded five-plus receptions in back-to-back contests for the first time in his career...Three of his six receptions went for a first down in the contest...(9/22) at Min.: Recorded a then-career-high 13 receptions and 134 yards, tying for the second-most receptions in a single game in team history (RB Darren McFadden – 2012, WR Tim Brown – 2002)...(9/29) at Ind.: Posted seven receptions for 53 yards…Became the fifth tight end in NFL history with 30-plus catches through the first four games of a season, joining TEs Antonio Gates (33 – 2007), Jimmy Graham (32— 2014), Zach Ertz (31—2018) and Jordan Cameron (30 – 2013)...Tied Gates (33 in 2007) for the most receptions by a tight end in his team's first four games of a season in NFL history...Led the Raiders in receptions for the fourth consecutive week with seven receptions for 53 yards...(10/6) vs. Chi.: Logged four receptions for 39 yards (9.8 avg.) in the win...(10/20) at GB: Recorded his first TD as a Raider on a 7-yard pass from QB Derek Carr...Found the end zone once again, scoring on a 17-yard reception, marking the first time he has recorded multiple TDs in a game...Finished with 126 yards on eight receptions, marking the second time in his career surpassing 100 receiving yards...(10/27) at Hou.: Recorded his third TD of the season on an 8-yard pass from Carr…Finished two receptions for 11 yards and a TD...(11/3) vs. Det.: Caught two passes for 52 yards with a long of 31 yards...(11/7) vs. LAC: Finished with three receptions for 40 yards…(11/17) vs. Cin.: Finished with 78 yards on five receptions (15.6 avg.), including a 32-yard long...(11/24) at NYJ: Finished the contest with 41 yards on three receptions (13.7 avg.)...(12/1) at KC: Led all receivers with seven receptions for 100 yards (14.3 avg.), marking his third 100-yard receiving yard performance...(12/8) vs. Ten.: Led the team with six receptions for 73 yards (12.2 avg.) and became just the third tight end in franchise history with at least 70 receptions (72) in a single season, joining TE Todd Christensen (1983-86) and Brandon Myers (2012)...(12/15) vs. Jac.: Finished with eight receptions for 122 yards (15.3 avg.)...Became just the second tight end in franchise history with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, joining Christensen...Also tied a club record for most 100-yard receiving games in a single season amongst tight ends (four)...Registered his third contest in a row with six-plus catches and 70-plus receiving yards...(12/22) at LAC: Finished with four receptions for 37 yards (9.2 avg.)...Surpassed Christensen for the third-most receptions (84) and third-most receiving yards (1,038) in franchise history by a tight end in a single season...(12/29) at Den.: Ended the day with six receptions for 107 yards (17.8 avg.), including a career-long 75-yard catch which marked the Raiders longest play from scrimmage throughout the season...His fifth 100-plus receiving yard game broke a club record for most such games in a single season among tight ends...Became only the fifth player in franchise history to record at least 90 receptions in a single season...Finished the season ranked first among tight ends in the NFL in yards after the catch (570), second in receiving yards (1,145) and second in receptions (90).
2018 (with Bal. and Oak.): Played in four games after signing with Oakland on Nov. 27...Recorded six receptions for 75 yards with one carry for 21 yards...(12/9) vs. Pit.: Made his Raiders debut, appearing in a limited role on offense and special teams...(12/16) at Cin.: Recorded a career-long rush (21 yards) and a then-career long reception (44 yards) in just his second game with the Silver and Black…His 44-yard reception in the second quarter set up a 1-yard TD to TE Lee Smith on the next play...(12/24) vs. Den.: Recorded two receptions for eight yards in the win...(12/30) at KC: Caught three passes for 23 yards in the contest.
2017 (with Bal.): Placed on the Reserve/Suspended List.
2016 (with Bal.): Played in 12 games with three starts...Posted 10 receptions for 85 receiving yards and two TDs...Finished second on the team with six special teams tackles...(11/6) vs. Pit.: Recorded two catches for 17 yards...(11/10) vs. Cle.: Recorded his first career TD reception...Finished with two catches for 14 yards...(12/12) at NE: Recorded a 3-yard TD catch.
2015 (with Bal.): Played in six games with one start...Finished with two receptions for 18 yards...Notched three special teams tackles...Placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Oct. 28...(9/13) at Den.: Made his NFL debut...Saw action on special teams...(10/1) at Pit.: Recorded his first career reception for 17 yards...(10/11) vs. Cle.: Earned his first career NFL start.
COLLEGE: Played four years (2011-14) at Georgia Tech, appearing in 50 games with 22 starts...Finished his collegiate career with 51 receptions for 971 yards and nine TDs...Recorded a career-high 26 receptions for 442 yards and six TDs his senior year...Totaled 17 receptions for 367 yards with three TDs as a junior in 2013...Finished second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and TDs both his junior and senior seasons...Majored in management.
PERSONAL: Native of Acworth, Ga. ...Attended North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga. ...Named first-team All-County, first-team All-Region and second-team All-State as a senior...Played wide receiver and defensive back during his three-year varsity career and served as team captain for two seasons...Also a standout on the basketball team...In February 2019, started his own foundation called 'The Darren Waller Foundation'…The focus of the foundation is to provide a safe, accepting and encouraging environment for students to help avoid and overcome substance abuse and misuse, while also supporting youth and their families during their recover and treatment journey.
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: Special teams tackles - 3 in 2015, 6 in 2016, 1 in 2018; NFL totals: 10.
SINGLE-GAME HIGHS: RECEIVING: Receptions – 13, two times; last: 12/6/20 at NYJ. Yards – 200, 12/6/20 at NYJ. Long – 75, 12/29/19 at Den. Touchdowns – 2, two times; last 12/6/20 at NYJ. RUSHING: Attempts – 1, three times; last: 11/17/19 vs. Cin. Yards – 21, 12/16/18 at Cin. Long – 21, 12/16/18 at Cin.
