Darren Waller

Darren Charles Waller is an American football tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech. He is the great-grandson of composer and jazz pianist Fats Waller.

Darren Waller’s Early Life and Background

Darren Waller was born in Landover, Maryland, to Dorian and Charlena Waller. He has a sister, Deanna. He was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Marietta, Georgia, and Acworth, Georgia. Darren Waller’s great-grandfather was jazz musician Fats Waller. Darren produces hip-hop music in his spare time. Waller attended and played wide receiver at Georgia Tech where he redshirted his freshman season of 2011 and decided to forgo his final year of eligibility by entering the 2015 NFL Draft.

Who Drafted Darren Waller?

The Baltimore Ravens selected Waller in the sixth round with the 204th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The selection was acquired in a trade in exchange for Rolando McClain. Waller became the 27th wide receiver drafted in 2015. On May 7, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens signed Waller to a four-year, $2.39 million contract that included a signing bonus of $104,732.

Darren Waller’s NFL Journey

A veteran tight end who enters his fifth season with the Silver and Black after originally signing to the Raiders' active roster during Week 13 of the 2018 season from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Waller has appeared in 65 games with 46 starts over his career, totaling 270 receptions for 3,184 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. He became the second tight end in franchise history to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back campaigns, joining Raiders great TE Todd Christens. He also became the only tight end in club annals to record back-to-back seasons with at least 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards. In 2021, Darren started all 11 games he appeared in and recorded 55 receptions for 665 yards with two TD. In 2020, he earned Pro Bowl honors after setting career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196), and receiving TDs (nine), while tying his team record of 100-yard contests (five) from the previous year. With 107 receptions, Waller broke Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown's former record for most catches in a single season (104 in 1997). He became just the sixth tight end in NFL history to log over 100 receptions in a single season and his 107 receptions rank third all-time among tight ends in NFL history. He became just the second tight end in NFL lore to log at least 10 receptions, 200 receiving yards, and two TD receptions in a single contest. In 2019, Waller set then-career highs in every major offensive category, recording 90 receptions for 1,145 receiving yards and three TDs. He was named to the Pro Bowl 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. He appeared in four games for the Raiders in 2018, recording six receptions for 75 yards. In 2016, Waller appeared in 12 games with three starts, logging 10 receptions, 85 receiving yards, and two TDs. As a rookie, he played in six games with one start.

Darren Waller teams

Baltimore Ravens (2015-2018)

On May 7, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens signed Waller to a four-year, $2.39 million contract that included a signing bonus of $104,732. Throughout training camp, Waller competed for a roster spot as a backup wide receiver against Marlon Brown, Michael Campanaro, and Kamar Aiken. He was named the sixth wide receiver on the depth chart but was placed on the injury reserve list relatively early in the season on October 29, 2015. Waller’s time with the Ravens was marred with controversy. On July 1, 2016, Waller was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy before being suspended for the entire 2017 season without pay for again violating the substance-abuse policy. On August 7, 2018, Waller was reinstated by the league after completing a rehabilitation program at Borden Cottage and serving his year-long suspension.

Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-Present)

Waller was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day. On November 26, 2018, Waller was signed by the Oakland Raiders off the Ravens' practice squad. During the 2018 season, he appeared in four games and had six receptions for 75 yards. The 2019 season is when Waller started to turn a corner. After signing a three-year contract extension with the Raiders, Waller finished the campaign on a high note, being named to the 2020 Pro Bowl as an alternate. Darren finished the 2019 season with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns. Waller was fined $30,000 by the NFL on October 5, 2020, for hosting a maskless charity event during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the season, Waller finished with career highs in receptions(107), receiving yards(1,196), and touchdowns(9). His 107 receptions ranked fourth in the NFL and first among tight ends, while his yardage ranked tenth overall and second among tight ends. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time. In the 2021 regular season opener, Waller had ten receptions for 105 receiving yards and a touchdown. He finished the 2021 season with 55 receptions for 665 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 11 games. On September 10, 2022, Waller signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension with the Raiders, becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Darren Waller Awards and Honours

Darren Waller NFL Records

• In 2020, put together the finest season by a tight end in Raiders franchise history, setting career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196) and receiving TDs (nine) en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

• With 107 receptions in 2020, broke Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown's Raiders franchise record for most receptions in a single season (104 in 1997).

• Set the Raiders franchise record in 2019 – and matched it again in 2020 – for most 100-yard receiving games (five) by a tight end in a single season, while also leading all tight ends in the NFL.

Darren Waller Net Worth

Darren Waller’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. His net worth is associated due to the brand endorsements that he currently has including Pepsi, Snickers, Wilson, Body Armour, and Inscriptagraphs. Another large part of his net worth of course comes from his contracts within the NFL. His current contract comes from a three-year contract extension worth $51 million. You can learn more about the details of Waller’s contract here.

Darren Waller family

Dorian Waller and Charlena Waller welcomed Darren into the world on September 13, 1992, in Acworth, Georgia, in the United States. His parents and he are very close, and they have helped him through every stage of his life. He shares his family with his sister, Deanna, who is a child. Waller is dating Kelsey Plum, a well-known basketball player. Kelsey plays basketball professionally for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association.