His ability to create space underneath fits the talents of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He will be 27 in November and has room to grow. Meyers isn’t the vertical threat that Waller is, but he’s an excellent route runner and is just entering his prime. Though Waller is much bigger than Meyers and is a more effective blocker, the Raiders won’t be losing a lot of production from Waller as an inline tight end. Here, Meyers motioned inside and essentially played the same role that Waller did, blocking a strong safety. He was responsible for blocking the strong safety. Here, Waller was lined up as a third tight end with an extra offensive lineman and Foster Moreau inside of him. Meyers is an effective run blocker, so he can take on some of Waller’s blocking responsibilities.
Essentially, he was used as a big slot or lined up out wide at times. Instead, he often lined up as a wing (next to another tight end) so that he would block lighter bodies. Last season, Waller only played 27.4 percent of snaps as an inline tight end, the lowest rate of his career. McDaniels wants strong run blocking from his tight end, which isn’t Waller’s strength.
Waller will be 31 this season, he’s had trouble staying healthy, and he’s not a natural fit in McDaniels’ offense. Though one can argue about the value that the Raiders got back for Waller, replacing him with Meyers makes sense from a schematic and financial standpoint.
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