Thoughts on Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Thoughts on Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech?

MarinoEqualsGod

MarinoEqualsGod

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I don't know too much about this guy, but just saw this blurb on Rotoworld:

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein thinks Georgia Tech senior WR Darren Waller "is building draft momentum."
"Waller, a 6-foot-5 receiver with speed, beat Mississippi State on a 41-yard touchdown reception as well as a 39-yard catch, finishing the Orange Bowl with five catches for 114 yards," Zierlein wrote. "He strung together strong back-to back games against Florida State and Mississippi State after taking over for the injured DeAndre Smelter and is sure to entice general managers hoping to find the next Kelvin Benjamin." The 6-foot-5, 232-pounder, whose usage was restricted in the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense, is an athletic freak who runs a 4.54 forty.

Here's a small highlight sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vVGObWpWUg

Definitely someone to have on our priority UDFA list, if not spend on a 6th/7th round flyer.

Playing in a run-first offense hasn't given him as much exposure as if he played elsewhere, so maybe we're able to get a steal here?
 
I was a big Smelter fan before he got injured. Will have to check this kid out.
 
He is projected to not be drafted in fact is not even projected to be a priority FA either!
 
Another blurb on Waller today, per Rotoworld:

TFY Draft Insider Tony Pauline notes that Georgia Tech senior WR Darren Waller is "dominating opponents" in one on ones at Monday's East-West Shrine practice.

"Darren Waller/Georgia Tech looks like a beast in one on one. Dominating opponents," Pauline tweeted. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Waller, whose usage is restricted in the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense, is an athletic freak who runs a 4.54 forty. Waller "has great upside potential," TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline gave Waller a sixth-round preseason grade over the summer.




I sure as hell would have this guy as a priority free agent if undrafted.
 
MarinoEqualsGod said:
Another blurb on Waller today, per Rotoworld:

TFY Draft Insider Tony Pauline notes that Georgia Tech senior WR Darren Waller is "dominating opponents" in one on ones at Monday's East-West Shrine practice.

"Darren Waller/Georgia Tech looks like a beast in one on one. Dominating opponents," Pauline tweeted. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Waller, whose usage is restricted in the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense, is an athletic freak who runs a 4.54 forty. Waller "has great upside potential," TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline gave Waller a sixth-round preseason grade over the summer.




I sure as hell would have this guy as a priority free agent if undrafted.
Click to expand...

I wonder what drill they were doing here. You have to take reports of a WR dominating in 1 on 1, with a grain of salt. Most WRs will look pretty damn good in those drills.
 
I bet Georgia Tech all the time. Waller always looks the part but he's generally disappointing. Not the most aware player. Invariably he'll be open down the sideline and find ways not to come down with the ball. Smelter makes those plays routinely. Granted, once Smelter got hurt when he took the bad angle into traffic after a catch very late in the season, Waller had to play much more, and seemed to improve. Keep in mind that Georgia Tech's offense was rolling at that stage, with Justin Thomas making all the correct reads including excellent back shoulder throws, an extreme rarity for an option quarterback. Waller looked good but so did everybody else, given all the confusion and open spaces Paul Johnson was creating.

Waller looks less impressive than most of the recent Georgia Tech receivers. But he won't cost as much, either.
 
He impressed me in the Orange Bowl but thought he'd be a UDFA. He'll IMO need time to develop.

The other GT player that impressed in the Orange Bowl was S Mason (OG). Its probably just me but OL from a triple option attack might be ideal for Lazor's scheme?
 
MarinoEqualsGod said:
Another blurb on Waller today, per Rotoworld:

TFY Draft Insider Tony Pauline notes that Georgia Tech senior WR Darren Waller is "dominating opponents" in one on ones at Monday's East-West Shrine practice.

"Darren Waller/Georgia Tech looks like a beast in one on one. Dominating opponents," Pauline tweeted. The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Waller, whose usage is restricted in the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense, is an athletic freak who runs a 4.54 forty. Waller "has great upside potential," TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline gave Waller a sixth-round preseason grade over the summer.




I sure as hell would have this guy as a priority free agent if undrafted.
Click to expand...

I'll add a few tweets from Pauline.


Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 3h 3 hours ago
Deon Long/Maryland looking like the best receiver this morning at Shrine practice.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 2h 2 hours ago
Devin Gardner/WR making some nice plays in the early going.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 2h 2 hours ago
Athletically Wes Saxton/TE/S Alabama is very impressive but he's dropping to many catchable throws.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 2h 2 hours ago
Jake Ryan/Michigan just cannot make plays in coverage. Struggles staying with TES/RBS. Two down defender.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 2h 2 hours ago
Darren Waller/WR/Georgia Tech dropped a lot of passes in drills then dominated in one on one. Physically beat down opponents.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 2h 2 hours ago
Tye Smith/CB/Towson showing a lot of skill. Quick with good fundamentals; pedal, turn, transition. Like him

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 1h 1 hour ago
Running backs Kenny Hilliard/LSU & Dominique Brown/Louisville both looking really good.

Tony Pauline @TonyPauline · 1h 1 hour ago
Pains me to say this but Jamon Brown/OL/Louisville looks awful.
 
Also this blurb:

- At the start of practice today I spoke with my buddy Josh Norris of Rotoworld and he mentioned the potential move of Darren Waller from receiver to tight end. I spoke with sources throughout the day and they told me if they feel its a definite possibility the Georgia Tech wide out could make the move to tight end this summer.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, I could see him as a receiving specialist split tight end. I'd worry he's not agile or clever enough to beat cornerbacks dependably on the outside.

Waller has been a whispered player for several seasons. Always touted, given his frame. I'd pay attention then basically give up on him once he looked like the same flawed player again. Only in the final couple of games this season did he finally start to show something.

Not tough or feisty enough. That's how I would describe him. Of course, not many throws come his way in that offense. Maybe he can become more aggressive, as Jimmy Graham did once he got into the NFL. Graham was a talented but wandering somewhat soft player in his one season as a Cane footballer.
 
He's too sluggish to play the position he's playing. He's been OK but only because this is a practice setting. I'm not sure his style translates during games quite as well when things get a little faster and more physical.

Maybe he is a physical freak and runs a 4.54 but out here on the field he looks more like a 4.7 player.
 
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