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Las Vegas Raiders go bargain shopping for Darren Waller replacement with former 1st-round pick

The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly taking a look at the bargain bin in NFL free agency for a possible replacement for tight end Darren Waller.

The Las Vegas Raiders are going threw a major makeover on offense heading into the 2023 season. The first step in that change was benching long-time starting quarterback Derek Carr, and releasing him late last month.

They replaced him with former San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and also added former New England Patriots WR1 Jakobi Meyers on the free agent market. While the team slapped a franchise tag on Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, Carr was not the only major departure from the roster this year.

Related: Las Vegas Raiders land top wide receiver in NFL free agency for $33 million

Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders shipped off uber-talented but often injured tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants. Although the organization replaced Carr with a big-name signal-caller, that is unlikely to be the case when it comes to filling Waller’s spot on the depth chart.

Las Vegas Raiders record (2022): 6-11, third place in AFC West

las vegas raiders
Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday morning, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Las Vegas Raiders were “hosting former first-round TE OJ Howard” for a workout today.

Howard was taken with the 19th pick overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After three decent seasons to start his career, he suffered an Achilles tear in 2020 and only played in four games that year. In the following season — his last in Tampa Bay — he made only nine starts for the team and posted just 135 yards.

Last season, he made 10 starts for the Houston Texans and only racked up 10 catches, 145 yards, and two touchdowns.

The Alabama Crimson Tide standout hasn’t come anywhere near what the Buccaneers hoped he would be when he was taken with a first-round pick. However, with the Las Vegas Raiders having problems to address on defense, and three good to great receivers in Meyers, Davante Adams, and Hunter Renfrow still on the roster, taking a flier on a cheap tight end option is likely how the team will replace Waller this offseason.

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