TRANSACTIONS: Selected by Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft...Waived by Ravens, Sept. 1, 2018...Signed by Ravens to practice squad, Sept. 2, 2018...Signed by Oakland Raiders to active roster, November 27, 2018.
CAREER: A fourth-year tight end who signed to the Raiders' active roster during Week 13 of the 2018 season...Has appeared in 36 games with 20 starts over his career with the Baltimore Ravens and Raiders, totaling 108 receptions for 1,323 yards and five receiving TDs.…Had one of the finest campaigns by a tight end in franchise history in his first full season with the team in 2019, setting 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.
2019: Started all 16 contests for the first time as he posted one of the greatest campaigns by a tight end in Raiders lore...Named a Pro Bowl alternate after setting 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...Broke the club record, while leading all NFL tight ends for the 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.)...Became just the third Raiders tight end since 1986 to record at least 50 receiving yards in each of his first two weeks of the season (TE Todd Christensen - 1986, TE Brandon Myers - 2012)...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 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)...His 134 receiving yards tied for ninth-most by a tight end in a single game in franchise history (Christensen – 1985, TE Mike Dyal – 1989)...(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...His 320 receiving yards ranked third franchise history through the first four weeks of the season...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: Led all Raiders through the first half of play with 64 yards on two catches (32.0 avg.)...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, surpassing 100 receiving yards for the second time in his career...Surpassed Brown for the most receptions (44) by a player in franchise history through the first six games of the season...(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.)...Became just the third tight end in franchise history with at least 70 receptions (72) in a single season, joining Christensen (1983-86) and 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 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 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.Â
PERSONAL: 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, made the decision to start 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.Â
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: Special teams tackles - 3 in 2016, 6 in 2017, 1 in 2018; NFL totals: 10.
SINGLE-GAME HIGHS: RECEIVING: Receptions – 13, 9/22/19 at Min. Yards – 134, 9/22/19 at Min. Long – 75, 12/29/19 at Den. Touchdowns – 2, 10/20/19 at GB. 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.
