Raiders' expert thinks Michael Mayer will have the biggest impact in 2023
The Las Vegas Raiders got one of the biggest steals in the 2023 NFL Draft, and now one expert thinks he will have the biggest impact on the rookies on his team. The Las Vegas Raiders were somehow able to get an absolute steal in the 2023 draft. No, it wasn't because they found a […]
The Las Vegas Raiders got one of the biggest steals in the 2023 NFL Draft, and now one expert thinks he will have the biggest impact on the rookies on his team.
The Las Vegas Raiders were somehow able to get an absolute steal in the 2023 draft. No, it wasn't because they found a hidden gem late in the draft, but more so because some teams in the first round made a mistake, and passed up on the best tight end in the entire draft, with the Buffalo Bills taking the second-best tight end.
Mayer is the best tight end in this class, in my opinion. But also, the tape doesn't lie either. Because of the things he can do, he can have the biggest impact on all the rookies in the Raiders rookie class. One Raiders' expert thinks so too.
Michael Mayer will start behind fellow tight end Austin Hooper and maybe even O.J. Howard is on the depth chart, but he has a strong chance to eventually become the starter. Mayer doesn’t have high-end speed or athleticism, but he has ideal size at 6-4, 249, plays with impressive strength, makes contested catches consistently, and is a smooth route runner. He needs to refine his technique as a blocker if he’s going to stay on the field under coach Josh McDaniels, but he has displayed the attention to detail, work ethic, and physicality necessary to believe he can accomplish that feat. — Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur, The Athletic
A lot of analysts have compared Mayer to Jason Witten, in the way he doesn't move quickly at times but is always open. He isn't nimble on his feet, but his route running is still pretty good for a bigger tight end. Could it be better? Sure.
But, Mayer is excellent at working the middle of the field, especially on a corner or post routes when a smaller defensive back matches up with him. His break out of a rout is actually really good, and I think that part of his game will only get better. Mayer is also a guy that can go up and get almost any ball. His catch radius is pretty good for his size.
One of the most important things I think the Raiders liked about Mayer was his ability to block in the run game. He said it himself, he loves putting people in the dirt, and we can expect to see some of that in 2023, as the Raiders love to run the ball with Josh Jacobs. His run blocking is more fit for what the Raiders like to do too.
All of those things are why he will have such a big impact on the game in his rookie year. Even with Davante Adams and the plethora of receivers the Raiders have, he will still find a way to be productive. They needed to go and get a tight end in the draft because Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard was just not going to cut it.
