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Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz fantasy football takes on Darren Waller
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz about Darren Waller.
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All Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz insights about Darren Waller
NegativeRoleOct 29, 2026
Waller is averaging a career-best 14.1 yards per catch and caught a 50-yard touchdown, but Dave Canales rotates tight ends. Waller's routes stabilized around 55% after the bye week, which is not a big enough role to be trusted as a borderline TE1, despite expectations he could get a full-time role. Tommy Tremble has also done good things in the Panthers offense, further limiting Waller's consistency.PositiveUsageOct 22, 2026
Waller's route participation dropped to a season-low 43% following the bye week, signaling reduced offensive involvement; Tommy Tremble ran approximately 50% of snaps and made the most of his opportunities, creating uncertainty about target distribution until Carolina consolidates around one tight end.PositiveMatchupOct 16, 2026
Ian Hartitz suggests Darren Waller as a viable fantasy option against the Eagles, noting the Eagles' defensive struggles against slot receivers and Waller's role as a de facto slot receiver.PositiveUsageOct 15, 2026
Ian Hartitz ranks Darren Waller as TE15, viewing him as a big slot receiver who benefits from a matchup against an Eagles defense that struggles against slot targets. Waller's route rate reached a season-high 64% in Week 4, and Hartitz expects a potential role increase following the team's bye week, making him a preferred waiver wire stash for future potential.PositiveProjectionOct 3, 2026
Ian Hartitz recommends betting the overs on Darren Waller's receiving yards (23.5) and receptions (2.5) for the Sunday night matchup against the Lions. Waller has cleared these numbers in each of the past two weeks, his route participation is trending upward, and he faces a Lions defense that is the worst in the NFL against tight ends. Hartitz ranks Waller as a top-10 fantasy tight end for the week.PositiveRoleSep 25, 2026
Darren Waller's role is going up, positioned as one of the good tight end options in a week with unusual depth at the position.PositiveValueSep 24, 2026
Ian Hartitz identifies Waller as a priority waiver target and streaming option. Waller has eight touchdowns in just 11 games over his last two years (tied for fourth most at position). Route rate increased from 42% to 56%, signaling increased offensive role. Owned in only 7% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues despite strong production; likely to remain under 15% ownership even after pickup activity. Panthers' pass-happy offense (first at +11% drop back rate over expected) and loss of Jonathan Brooks for 6-8 weeks should keep the offense pass-heavy, supporting Waller's red zone threat status in a position where touchdown upside is often the primary value driver. Ranked TE16.PositiveUsageSep 21, 2026
Darren Waller has emerged as the clear lead tight end in the Panthers' committee. He saw a significant usage increase, playing 56% of routes and operating from the slot 35% of the time. He caught all three of his targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns, with two of those targets coming in the end zone, signaling the team's clear intent to utilize him in high-leverage situations.PositiveSleeperSep 17, 2026
Ian Hartitz identifies Darren Waller as a stash candidate with the Panthers, noting that Bryce Young has limited receiving options and Waller's role could be increasing. Positioned as the secondary tight end stash recommendation for tight end premium leagues after Irv Smith Jr., Waller offers potential role growth in an offense with few pass-catching alternatives.PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026
With Brock Bowers injured, Darren Waller becomes a beneficiary in the Raiders offense. Hartitz rates him as a wide receiver 4 for the week, noting that while Waller himself is 'good,' the real play is the opportunity created by forced volume. Hartitz points to precedent in the 49ers offense (DeMarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Richie James) where lesser players elevated into big roles produced huge games, and Waller was force-fed targets in preseason action without key weapons like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, or Mike Evans.PositiveValueSep 9, 2026
Ian Hartitz considers Darren Waller an enticing bench stash for very deep leagues; if his route rate is better than expected, he could rise up the rankings quickly.PositiveValueSep 5, 2026
Pat Kerrane indicates interest in drafting Darren Waller as a late-round tight end target.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Waller's presence on the Panthers is noted as a potential complicating factor near the red zone, suggesting he could steal touchdown opportunities from wide receivers like Tedo McMillan.NegativeProjectionAug 17, 2026
Ian Hartitz ranks Waller as TE24 and places him in a tier with Kenyon Sadi and others where the upside is conditional—these tight ends won't reliably work out, but if they do, the ceiling is significant. Essentially a fade on the veteran tight end despite his name recognition.PositiveValueNo date
Ian Hartitz's top prop pick is Darren Waller over 25.5 receiving yards and over 2.5 receptions; Hartitz believes the line is mispriced despite Jaylen Coker's questionable status, noting Waller's routes have increased every week and Detroit is historically bad against tight ends; he likes both the receiving yards and receptions overs and suggests sprinkling anytime touchdown bets as well.PositiveRoleNo date
Darren Waller is ranked TE10 but Ian Hartitz believes he should rank higher. His route rate has been low (42%, 56%, 57% to start the year) but should improve now that Jaylen Coker is sidelined with a quad injury. Waller looks like the second pass-game option for the Saints, making more sense than Bryson Tremayne or John Metchie; Hartitz feels TE10 doesn't feel high enough given his role. With Coker out and the Lions' weak tight end defense (allowing six tight end touchdowns through September with both starting safeties on IR), Hartitz would consider elevating Waller into the top eight tight ends.