Raiders are sending mixed signals with offseason moves

Hours after agreeing to a deal with free-agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders sent Waller to the Giants for a 2023 third-round draft pick (100th overall) 

Waller struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons, but NFL Research pointed out that hasn't had an effect on his place among tight ends.

Waller would have been a valuable target for Garoppolo, who had his fair share of success with 49ers tight end George Kittle. 

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Kittle and Waller rank first and second in most receptions over expected among tight ends since 2019.

Teams are either fleshing out their rosters or beginning teardowns, but Las Vegas' moves indicate an organization unsure of what direction it wants to go. 

The Raiders dumped QB Derek Carr, 31, for a player who's the same age and are subtracting a major talent at tight end for a wideout although the team already has Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. The disappointing return for the departing players doesn't make matters any better. 

Carr, who refused to waive his no-trade clause, signed as a free agent with the Saints while the front office was only able to muster a late third-round pick for its star tight end.

Adding Garoppolo, Meyers and former Eagles safety Marcus Epps are signals that the organization has the playoffs in mind for 2023. But trading Waller for a low-value draft pick only makes that goal harder to reach.