Coach Tomlin: Describing Darren Waller as TE is "less than appropriate."
Name a better tight end than Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller outside of Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. You could argue San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle but other than that, not much out there.
The 2015 6th-round pick (No. 204) has quickly established himself among the league’s elite Y receivers. At 6-6, 238, Waller physically imposes an instant mismatch against slower linebackers (4.46) and smaller defensive backs (37-inch vertical).
The numbers don’t lie. Since 2019 no tight end outside of Kelce has produced more targets (262), receptions (197), receiving yards (2,341), and first downs (122).
On the game’s biggest stage--Monday Night Football, Waller was an absolute BEAST. He simply shredded the Baltimore Ravens defense, racking up a team-high 10 catches for 105 receiving yards (10.5 avg) and 1 TD.
Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the tough task of containing Waller in Week 2. Coach Tomlin spoke with NFL media on Tuesday and shed some light on the 2020 Pro Bowler; citing Waller is more of a receiver in a tight-ends body:
“That’s putting him in the box [labeling him a TE]. This guy’s a dynamic, big, athlete. I’m watching the game last night [MNF] and I’m looking at his measurables man, he’s more similar to Claypool than any tight end we have on our roster. In terms of measurables, fluidity of movement, and body control.”
To put Tomlin’s analysis in perspective, I made the concerted effort to breakdown below full spectrum of Waller’s MNF production (along with exclusive videos via Twitter):
1st | 11:55 | 3rd & 9 @ BAL 34
Waller lined up in 3x1 to the right
Raiders 12 personnel vs Ravens Cover-4
Given a free release-- Waller runs 7-yard quick slant
Boxes out smaller CB Tavon Young with physique at the catch point
Turns a 7-yard quick slant into a 13-yard gain
2nd | 7:08 | 1st & 10 @ LV 48
Waller lined up in 3x1 to the left
Raiders 11 personnel vs Cover-3
Carr throws a designed screen pass to Waller in flat
WR Henry Ruggs & WR Hunter Renfrow down block CB Tavon Young
Turns -3 yard screen pass into a 9-yard gain
2nd | 5:46 | 3rd & 1 @ BAL 43
Waller lined up in 3x1 to the left
Raiders 12 personnel vs Cover-1
OLB Malik Harrison blitzes allowing Waller free release
Waller runs 18-yard post-route from left hash to the numbers beating single-high safety
Attacks ball at the catch point
Turns a 19-yard catch into a 24-yard gain
2nd | 4:54 | 2nd & 10 @ BAL 19
Waller lined up in 3x2 to the right
Raiders 11 personnel vs Cover-4
Waller runs a 6-yard speed-out vs LB Chris Board with safety help on top
Turns a 6-yard catch into an 8-yard gain
3rd | 6:02 | 2nd & 8 @ BAL 38
Waller lined up in 2x2 to the left
Raiders 13 personnel vs Cover-1
OLB Tyus Bowser doesn’t chip Waller at LOS allowing for free release
Waller runs free for a 13-yard shallow crossing dig vs CB Anthony Averett
Waller displays big catch-radius adjusting to the ball mid-stride (back shoulder)
Hand-eye coordination allowed him to turn a 13-yard catch into a 16-yard gain
3rd | 5:17 | 1st & 10 @ BAL 22
Waller lined up in 3x2 to the left
Raiders 13 personnel vs Cover-3
QB Derek Carr audibles to hot-route for Waller based on Cover-3 shell
Waller runs a designed 1-yard speed-out
RB Kenyan Drake and WR Henry Ruggs deliver seal blocks for designed outside play
Waller makes the short catch before turning upfield
Drake stalls the play by not being able to seal off FS DeShon Elliott
Turns 1-yard catch into a 2-yard gain
4th | 11:54 | 1st & 10 @ BAL 41
Waller pre-snap motions to the strong side of the formation
Raiders 11 personnel vs Cover-4
Waller runs a designed 1-yard speed-out
WR Hunter Renfrow and WR Zay Jones down block for designed outside play
Waller makes the short catch before turning upfield
Turns 1-yard catch into 4-yard gain
4th | 6:04 | 1st & 10 @ LV 25
Waller lined up in 4x1 to the left
Raiders 12 personnel vs Cover-4
Oweh shows blitz only to drop back in coverage vs Waller
Waller runs simple 8-yard speed-out to the boundary
Turns 8-yard catch into 9-yard gain
4th | 3:53 | 1st & Goal @ BAL 20
Waller lined up in 3x1 to the right
Raiders 11 personnel vs Cover-4
Waller runs a simple 7-yard speed-out to the boundary
Turns 7-yard catch into 10-yard gain
4th | 3:44 | 2nd & Goal @ BAL 10
Waller lined up in 3x1 to the right
Raiders 11 personnel vs Cover-1
Waller runs a rub route behind WR Henry Ruggs before going vertical
Matched up vs SS Chuck Clark--Waller runs a 6-yard hitch route before making the catch
Clark gives up outside leverage by attacking Waller’s inside shoulder at the catch point
Waller utilizing his physique, turns Clark’s momentum against him by spinning away from harm’s way--once he boxes out the smaller DB
Turns a 6-yard catch into a 10-yard TD
Now that we broke down the film, how can the Steelers possibly account for this type of production? Coach Tomlin put it best:
“You better be ready to deal with 19 targets.”
The Steelers boast arguably the best defense in the NFL. Their front seven sets the tone while the secondary is fundamentally sound. However, when you cross a player like Waller--it can pose a problem down the seams.
During the offseason, the Steelers shored up their ILB core with the addition by subtraction of ILB Joe Schobert. The Wisconsin product was acquired via trade to provide aid in the team’s pass defense.
The team also has ILB Devin Bush and OLB Alex Highsmith. Both of those players played at an All-Pro level in my grading system last year. But it all comes down to free-safety play in Week 2, and that’s where 2x 1st-team All-Pro FS Minkah Fitzpatrick comes into play.
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick Impact
My PFWA 2x 1st-team All-Pro selection FS Minkah Fitzpatrick is the answer.
The Steelers mainly use Cover-1 or Cover-3 thanks to Fitzpatrick’s range
Fitzpatrick has the range to play centerfield to sideline or centerfield to numbers
The two cover shells allow the Steelers to focus on making teams one-dimensional with SS Terrell Edmunds in the box
It also allows the underneath defenders to cover less ground on intermediate routes
Cover-3 vs Cover-1
The Raiders targeted Waller multiple times when facing Cover-1. Three of Waller’s 10 catches came against that cover-shell while producing the most success. Waller recorded 3 catches for 50 receiving yards and 1 TD.
Two of those three catches were due to a lack of “chipping” or slowing the TE off the line of scrimmage.
You can rest assured Steelers DC Keith Butler will slow down Waller by using “chips” with DE Cam Heyward, DE Chris Wormley, OLB Alex Highsmith, and OLB T.J. Watt when evaluating the Ravens game-film.
Coach Tomlin was asked on Tuesday how he plans to contain the 2020 Pro Bowler:
“I’m not going to disclose any of ‘em. Options are good, and not only in terms of changing people up but the number of people.”
When facing a Cover-3, Waller only caught two “designed passes” good for just 11 receiving yards (5.5 avg.).
Look for more Cover-3 vs Steelers as the film doesn’t lie. By going single-high you are exposing your underneath defenders to win those speed-outs, designed screens, etc. We witnessed this on Monday Night Football and ESPN Louis Riddick explained throughout the game--don’t play man vs Waller.
The play should be simplistic Cover-3 with four underneath defenders. It will help leverage the LBs pre-snap splits while keeping Waller in check--limiting YAC (yards after catch).
Bottom Line
While Waller continues to prove his worth among the game’s elite, don’t count out the Steelers vaunting front seven and FS Minkah Fitzpatrick. The scheme will dictate the success and despite Waller boasting 4 straight games with 100+ yards-- T-Most in NFL since 1970, I don’t think he will fare well on Sunday, as the Steelers game-plan should use primarily Cover-3.
Fantasy outlook for TE Darren Waller
After evaluating the game film and breaking down my game grades, don’t be shocked if the Steelers come out on top. In a game where I see the Raiders trying to force-feed Waller early and often--success won’t be easy, as I predict a stat line similar to 7 catches for 55 yards (7.9 avg.) and 0 TDs.
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