Darren Waller retired on Sunday, leaving the New York Giants without their top option at tight end going forward.
"We have great respect for Darren as a person and player," the team said in a statement. "We wish him nothing but the best."
For fantasy players, the retirement leads to the obvious question of who will benefit—and just how much—from Waller's retirement.
It won't help Daniel Jones much, taking away one of his security blankets. He's now without both Waller and running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
You probably were going to avoid Jones anyway in fantasy, as he's never been much of a passer, and his only real hope of sneaking into the QB2 range as your backup is if he replicates his 708 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground from the 2022 season.
You can safely avoid him at your draft.
Malik Nabers is an interesting player to consider. On the one hand, he's already the clear top option in the passing game on a team largely devoid of dynamic weapons.
On the other hand, he was going to be the top guy even if Waller returned. Remember, the veteran tight end only registered 52 catches for 552 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. Even in a full season, he wasn't going to pull the type of production that would have cost Nabers targets.
trey wingo @wingozIn the 2019 and 2020 seasons Darren Waller had 197 catches, 2,341 yards and 12 TDs in 32 games played. In the 3 seasons since? 32 games played, 134 catches, 1,605 yards and 6 TDs.
Remember, Nabers is a rookie wideout on a team without mediocre quarterback play that doesn't have many other playmakers for defenses to focus on stopping. Nabers has the tools to be great, and you should be drafting him as a potential flex option, but don't be surprised if he has a modest first year.
Daniel Bellinger and rookie fourth-round pick Theo Johnson are the most interesting players to evaluate in the wake of Waller's retirement. And honestly, it's hard to trust either player.
Mike Clay @MikeClayNFLThis will open up ~20% of the Giants' targets and, with the likes of Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and Theo Johnson atop the depth chart, this will likely lead to more balls thrown to the the WRs. <a href="">
In two seasons, Bellinger has 55 catches for 523 yards and two touchdowns. He has roughly the same production in 29 NFL games as Waller offered last season in 12 contests. It's possible he could take a nice leap based on an increase in usage alone, but it's tough to trust a player who hasn't popped in two seasons.
Johnson is just as hard to trust, given he's a completely unproven rookie. He'll be given a shot to carve out a role in the offense, but it's likely that the targets Waller would have received will be spread out to the wideouts instead.
Art Stapleton @art_stapletonTheo Johnson is going to make plays for Giants this season with expectation that Darren Waller will not be here.<br>But I think that'll just mean more chances for the WRs, and why I had Wan'Dale Robinson as a breakout candidate if totality of the passing game comes together.
Mike Clay @MikeClayNFLIn NFL history, only one rookie TE selected Rd 4 or later has averaged >9.0 fantasy PPG.<br><br>Just something to think about if you're considering Giants' 4th-round rookie TE Theo Johnson as a Year 1 sleeper.
Bellinger doesn't need to be drafted outside of a stash option in very deep leagues. Johnson is a solid enough option in dynasty formats or as stash option as your TE2. But this very likely won't be a Sam LaPorta situation.
