EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – On Monday, nine days after he married WNBA star Kelsey Plum, Darren Waller returned to his Las Vegas home after the couple's honeymoon in Amanyara in Turks & Caicos.
By Tuesday night, Waller was unexpectedly in New Jersey after the Giants obtained him in a trade with the Raiders.
"It's been high octane the last 24 hours," Waller said on a virtual news conference shortly after the deal became official today at 4 p.m. "I did not see this coming. I was getting ready to just do everything I could to make myself available for the Raiders and get ready for everything that was going to start in mid-April. So, it caught me off guard. But it's the nature of the business."
View photos of the newest members of the Giants touring the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith, New York Giants WR Paris Campbell, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants Safety Bobby McCain
New York Giants CB Amani Oruwariye
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants WR Jamison Crowder
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Tommy Sweeney
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants Safety Bobby McCain
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants CB Amani Oruwariye
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jamison Crowder
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
New York Giants TE Tommy Sweeney
New York Giants Tight End Darren Waller
New York Giants TE Darren Waller
New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke
New York Giants WR Jeff Smith
For the Giants, it's a smart transaction. One week after signing Daniel Jones to a four-year contract, general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll gifted him with a new offensive weapon. The price was a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, No. 100 overall, which the Giants acquired in the trade with Kansas City that sent Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs.
Waller, 30, is one of the NFL's best receiving tight ends. A 6-6, 255-pounder, he has played in 74 regular-season games with 52 starts and totaled 298 receptions for 3,572 yards and 19 touchdowns. The other tight ends currently on the roster - Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager, Dre Miller, plus fullback Chris Myarick – have 55 career receptions.
Waller has been productive in the red zone and is expected to be a frequent recipient of passes from Jones, who is coming off his finest season and is entering his fifth year as the team's quarterback.
"With Dabs, just seeing him from when he was in Buffalo, you just see a high-octane offense," Waller said. "A lot of playmakers, ball just flying around the yard no matter the weather conditions. It's just an exciting brand of football, and you can tell by the way he's come here, I feel like he's really empowering players. And you can tell by just me looking at the tight end group that they had (in 2022), from the outside looking in, receivers that the casual fan may not know a lot about, but they're making clutch plays in clutch moments. So, to see him and how he gets everybody involved and the creativity in which he does that, I'm excited to just be in the mix and be a part of what this offense is going to try to do."
This has been a lifechanging month for Waller. On March 4, he married Plum, an all-star guard with the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. Yesterday, his professional life sent him back to the east coast.
"I was wrapping up with my physical therapist in Las Vegas," he said. "Probably around 11 a.m., I got a call from the general manager of the Raiders (Dave Ziegler), and he was just letting me know that I was going to be traded. And we just kind of reflected on the last season with the Raiders and just expressing respect for one another and what we did to try to make it work. But from there, I got a facetime call from Dabs and Joe shortly after that. And was finding my way on a flight to Newark by 4 p.m. So, it's been pretty crazy. Phone's been going nuts. And trying to just say goodbyes to Las Vegas people and get introduced to people with the Giants."
When healthy, Waller is one of the league's most productive tight ends. In 2020, he set a Raiders franchise record with 107 receptions. (The Giants tight ends record is 74, set by Jeremy Shockey in his 2002 rookie season.) Waller produced consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 1,145 in 2019 and 1,196 the following year, when he scored a career-high nine touchdowns and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
He played in just nine games because of hamstring and knee injuries last season, when he had 28 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, back and knee problems limited him to 11 games and he caught 55 passes for 665 yards and two scores.
"I'm feeling great right now," he said. "The biggest adjustment I've had to make going into this offseason is making sure that I'm peaking at the right time. Something that helped me to elevate my game at such a high level was working myself hard in those 2018, 2019, 2020 offseason to where it was almost too hard, and that became my norm. So, now it's about how I become more efficient with it and making sure I'm peaking when the season starts, not showing up to training camp having worked so hard that I'm almost exhausted."
View photos of new Giants tight end Darren Waller.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 in Cincinnati. (Ryan Meyer via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a reception in front of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Tre Norwood (21) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 24-19. (John McGillen/NFL)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller runs into the end zone to score on a 25-yard pass during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller waves to fans after scoring on a 25-yard pass during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) indicates a first down during the first half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a pass with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) defending during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) plays against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) reacts after a pass interferences was called against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sep 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Tight end (83) Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before playing against the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) picks up a first down after catching a pass as Dallas Cowboys' Keanu Neal (42) and Jayron Kearse (27) move in to make the stop in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 28-14. (Tim Kothlow via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) tackles Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs in front of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Las Vegas Raiders' Darren Waller (83) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' Tre Flowers (33) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after the catch for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. The Raiders won 33-27 in overtime. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. The Raiders won 33-27 in overtime. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after the catch for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. The Raiders won 33-27 in overtime. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller hauls in a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Nasir Adderley defends during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) hauls in a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Nasir Adderley defends during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) is pursued by Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell (47) in the first second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 runs a pass route against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates a two point conversion against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 runs after catching a pass during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a touchdown pass against Denver Broncos strong safety Will Parks (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 runs a pass route against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Las Vegas Raiders' Darren Waller scores a touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the second half an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller, right, runs with the ball during the second half an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) warms up before an NFL football game, Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 43-6. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 43-6. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 43-6. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs a route during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 lines up during the first half against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 43-6. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Las Vegas Raiders Darren Waller plays against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) looks to make a block during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 runs after catching a pass against Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye #21 during the first quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 warms up prior to playing the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) lifts the ball after his touchdown reception during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a touchdown during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Sep. 21, 2020 in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (John McGillen via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller hauls in a touchdown pass as Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins defends second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller runs after a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a 5-yard touchdown pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) is chased by Kansas City Chiefs free safety Daniel Sorensen (49) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) tries to break a tackle by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Sep. 21, 2020 in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (John McGillen via AP)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball against Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 lines up at the line of scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller #83 runs a route against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders' Darren Waller reacts after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) scores against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs with the ball as Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) scores a touchdown past Houston Texans cornerback Gareon Conley (22) and free safety Mike Adams (27) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) scores a touchdown past Houston Texans cornerback Gareon Conley (22) and free safety Mike Adams (27) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Indianapolis Colts strong safety Clayton Geathers (26) tackles Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller in action during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Oakland Raiders' Darren Waller catches a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs against Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller warms up during practice at the NFL football teams training camp, in Owings Mills, MD., Saturday, July 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens' Darren Waller catches a touchdown pass during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller runs a drill at the team's first day of NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun (20) and defensive back Ed Reynolds II in the second half an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller prepares to run a drill during NFL football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller (84) pulls in a touchdown catch between New England Patriots defenders Duron Harmon, left, and Devin McCourty, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh congratulates tight end Darren Waller, left, after his touchdown catch against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller runs a drill during NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller rushes the ball in the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller warms up during NFL football training camp in Owings Mills, Md., Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh prepares for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller (12), Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Baltimore Ravens' Darren Waller catches a pass during NFL football training camp, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller makes a catch during NFL football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens' Darren Waller warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller makes a catch during NFL football training camp, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Darren Waller (12) runs past Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
Baltimore Ravens tight end Darren Waller celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Waller was a 2015 sixth-round draft choice, No. 204 overall, by the Baltimore Ravens, from Georgia Tech. He was drafted as a wide receiver, the position he played in college, before moving to tight end in his second season. Waller played two years for the Ravens before missing the 2017 season while serving an NFL suspension. The following year, he was released and joined the Ravens' practice squad before the Raiders signed him on Nov. 27.
Waller has been open about his past addiction issues.
"I feel like the greatest lessons I've taken from my recovery journey to the field is just to be centered in the present moment, to take things one day at a time," Waller said. "When I got reinstated and got an opportunity to start for the Raiders, I wasn't envisioning these huge, statistical seasons or my name in headlines and lights. I was just trying to be as consistent a player as I possibly could from period to period, from practice to practice, from week to week. And for me, I have 'Just for today' tatted on my wrist. And messages like that just keep me centered in knowing that if I'm handling each and every moment like that moment in the future that I want to happen, that success that the team wants to go for, I want to go, it's going to be a present moment when it comes. But if I handle every moment that way, with a sense of urgency and with gratitude, then I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to like the results whether I was perfect or imperfect.
"I'm not going to be perfect. I just say lessons like those keep my mind in the right place where if it's during the course of a season, things can go great. Things can go not what you expected them to be. So, it's a matter of just staying even, staying in that place of equanimity and riding it out."
After catching six passes in four games in his debut season in Oakland, Waller's career took off in 2019, when he started all 16 games and caught 90 passes for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. The next year he again played a full schedule and posted career-best numbers in all major statistical categories.
With the Giants, he will be reunited with tight ends coach Andy Bischoff, who was on the Ravens' staff when Waller was in Baltimore. Waller and his father, Dorian, a Queens native and lifelong Giants fan, ate lunch today with Bischoff in the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
"Reuniting with Andy is pretty cool," Waller said. "It's like one of those full circle moments. He was in Baltimore before I got suspended and after I got reinstated and got to be on the practice squad there. So, he's seen my low moments. He's seen me in moments where I was getting my foot back in the door and just trying to be consistent and be reliable as a member of the practice squad and the organization. And now from afar, he's been able to see me and taken some of the lessons I've taken from being around him and that culture to help elevate my career. So, to meet now and to continue on this journey together, it's a pretty cool thing. I don't think a lot of things happen like that for people. But I'm excited to have him be in my corner, have him help me elevate my game and all the games of tight ends in the room. So, I think it's going to be a really cool journey."
So will his new marriage with Plum. When they planned to start a new life together, the two professional athletes did not think one of them would be working in New Jersey.
"It was a bit of a curveball, coming back from the honeymoon," he said. "But she supports me and wants to see me shine to my ultimate potential as a player while I still have opportunity. So, I'm grateful to have her support, and we're going to do whatever it takes to remain strong together whatever the distance looks like, the timing of it. So, I'm grateful to have somebody that understands how things work in an industry like this, and we just go forward and make the best of it what we can."
