Raiders draft TE Michael Mayer in second round of NFL Draft
The 2023 offseason saw the Las Vegas Raiders bring in a ton of players who know how to run their system, while also getting rid of a few franchise players in Derek Carr and Darren Waller. They added to what would appear to be something special by drafting Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson on […]
The 2023 offseason saw the Las Vegas Raiders bring in a ton of players who know how to run their system, while also getting rid of a few franchise players in Derek Carr and Darren Waller. They added to what would appear to be something special by drafting Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson on night one.
On night two, they traded up from 38 to pick 35 from the Indianapolis Colts and gave them pick 141. The Raiders ended up changing things up and instead of going defense, they add another weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo and drafted Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer.
The Raiders had a need at tight end, but I don't know many people who mocked Mayer to the Raiders, or any tight end to the Raiders in round 2. Mainly because they need defense so bad.
Mayer finished his 2022 college season with 800 receiving yards on 67 receptions with nine touchdowns to go along with it. He is good, very good, and a lot of people were surprised that he didn't go in the first round. But, the Raiders liked him a lot and traded up to get him.
Trading up to snag the 6'4" 249 pound tight end was perfect, mainly becaus if they didn't end up getting a tight end that could start on day one, they would be forced to have Austin Hooper as their starting tight end on the year, which isn't a good thing, at all.
A to Z Sports' Tyler Browning evaluated Mayer and wrote the following:
Has a great frame and can extend his hands away from it and make tough catches. Reliable middle-of-the-field threat. Can use his frame to create the ideal window to catch a pass. Fights through contact exceptionally well. Has very soft, and reliable hands. Had a couple of drops against Florida State. Continued to have minor lapses of some dropped balls in 2022, but the catches he does make, more than makes up for the few and far between miscues.
Below is The Athletic's Dane Brugler's scouting report, as well:
A three-year starter at Notre Dame, Mayer was the primary target in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ scheme, splitting his snaps inline (61.9 percent) and detached (38.1 percent). At a program known for producing NFL tight ends (14 Irish players have been drafted at the position since 2001), he is the most prolific tight end in school history, setting Notre Dame positional records (both single-season and career) for catches, receiving yards and receiving. With his body control and ball skills, Mayer is productive underneath and as a big seam target, using his frame and fluidity to be a pass-catching weapon. Although he lacks suddenness in his footwork, he doesn’t strain as a route runner and there are no wasted movements. Overall, Mayer needs to become more consistent with his blocking technique and execution, but his controlled athleticism, play strength through contact and stellar intangibles raise his floor as a prospect. He projects as a traditional Y tight end with immediate NFL starting talent.
