CBS Sports picks Giants' best move of the offseason
Following an appearance in the Divisional Round of the 2022 NFL Playoffs, the Giants made several moves this offseason to improve the roster.
Which transaction could prove to be the most impactful?
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr chose what he believes to be the best move by every NFC team this offseason, which highlighted the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller for the Giants.
"Waller had the second-most catches (65) and receiving yards (789) among tight ends split out wide since 2019 (Travis Kelce was first)," wrote Kerr. "He had seven catches of 20-plus yards downfield in 2022 -- the most among tight ends despite missing eight games. Waller had the second-longest average target length among tight ends last season (13.4)...
"The Giants parted ways with a third-round pick to acquire Waller, who should have a tremendous impact on (Daniel) Jones for 2023."
The trade for Waller provides Jones with a big, explosive playmaker. The 6-foot-6 tight end put together back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards from 2019-20, totaling 197 receptions for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns during that span. This led to him being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020.
In nine games (six starts) last season, Waller caught 28 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns. His 13.9 yards per reception set a new career-high.
"He's one of the best tight ends in this league," Daniel Bellinger told the media Wednesday. "In my personal opinion, he's top three, and not three. He's not just a great overall player, he's a great guy. I'm excited to learn from him... He's a unicorn of a player."
"He's done everything we've asked him to do," head coach Brian Daboll said about Waller Tuesday. "He's a good communicator. He's played a lot of football and been productive. Again, we're still utilizing him in different ways. We're seeing what he likes, what he feels comfortable with, what the quarterback feels comfortable with, but he's been a pleasure to be around both in the classroom and out on the field."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
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