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Factoid

Raider tight ends

Waller, Witten and avoiding the end zone

What do you make of Darren Waller? He caught 90 passes last year, but with only 3 touchdown catches. Can he be counted on to get in the end zone more often this year?

Oddly last year, Waller caught all those passes but wasn’t even the highest-scoring tight end on his own team. (Foster Moreau caught 5 TDs).

I think this is a deal where the Raiders were able to use Moreau effectively in the red zone because opponents didn’t know what to make of him. He’s usually a blocker, making it easier for him to sneak open for short touchdowns. With Waller, he’s essentially a big wide receiver. He’s usually lined up outside, and wherever he is, they’re treating him as if he’s out there to catch passes.

Now the Raiders are bringing in Jason Witten as an additional tight end, and that makes for an interesting combo.

In NFL history, only two tight ends have caught 90-plus passes in a season while catching fewer than 5 TDs, and the Raiders have both of them. (Witten caught 110 passes and 3 TDs back in 2012, and he caught 94 passes and only 2 TDs in 2009.)

Only 18 other tight ends have caught 90-plus passes in NFL seasons.

TIGHT ENDS WITH 90-PLUS RECEPTIONS
YearPlayerRecYdsAvgTD
2018Zach Ertz, Phil.116116310.08
2012Jason Witten, Dall.11010399.53
2018Travis Kelce, K.C.103133613.010
2004Tony Gonzalez, K.C.102125812.37
2009Dallas Clark, Ind.100110611.110
2011Jimmy Graham, N.O.99131013.211
2007Tony Gonzalez, K.C.99117211.85
2019Travis Kelce, K.C.97122912.75
2008Tony Gonzalez, K.C.96105811.010
2007Jason Witten, Dall.96114511.97
1994Ben Coates, N.E.96117412.27
1986Todd Christensen, Oak.95115312.18
2015Delanie Walker, Ten.94108811.66
2010Jason Witten, Dall.94100210.79
2009Jason Witten, Dall.94103011.02
2012Tony Gonzalez, Atl.9393010.08
2000Tony Gonzalez, K.C.93120312.99
1983Todd Christensen, Oak.92124713.612
2019Darren Waller, Oak.90114512.73
2014Martellus Bennett, Chi.9091610.26
2011Rob Gronkowski, N.E.90132714.717

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index