The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Michael Mayer 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Michael Mayer Background
Position: Tight End
School: Notre Dame
Size: 6-foot-4, 251 Pounds
Class: Junior
2022 stats: 67 receptions, 809 receiving yards, 12.1 yards per catch, 9 touchdowns
Mayer played three seasons at Notre Dame and showed he was one of the best tight ends in the country. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was a five-star recruit out of Kentucky, who chose Notre Dame over Alabama and Georgia. In his freshman season, he had 42 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns. Notre Dame won 10 games that season with help from Mayer, but lost in the College Football Playoff semifinal. He returned in 2021 with 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. The Fighting Irish were able to win 11 games, but lost the Fiesta Bowl to conclude the season. For his junior season, he had 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. Notre Dame won nine games including the Gator Bowl that season.
Following the season, Mayer declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first-round pick.
Michael Mayer Strengths
Mayer can create separation, as he understands defenses and can be a good target for a quarterback. He can run solid routes and can put some space between himself and linebackers and even some safeties who end up guarding him. He can use his strength and physicality to create extra space without getting flagged. Mayer can find the open spots against zone coverage.
His hands are among the best in the class, as he creates a safe target for his quarterback. He does have some focus drops, but those are rare. Mayer showed the ability to make catches that were thrown away from his frame and ones that were heavily contested. His strength of winning 50-50 balls makes him an excellent red zone target.
He can have a real impact in the run game as a blocker. Mayer easily handles linebackers and safeties, but was even asked to block defensive linemen and held up decently well. He can make his blocks and is able to get to the second-level to complete two blocks in one play. While he could hang on to his blocks longer, he is far ahead of other prospects as draft prospects.
Michael Mayer Weaknesses
While he has decent size, Mayer doesn’t have elite size for the position. At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, there will be plenty of NFL tight ends who have better measurables than him. He can add to his frame and have better play strength to engage in blocks for longer.
Mayer could be classified as a good athlete, but is not elite. He shows decent speed, acceleration and change of direction, but doesn’t have elite traits in these categories. While he showed he could be productive at the college level, the lack of top-tier athleticism may limit his draft stock.
While he can win jump balls and is decent at running after the catch, Mayer is more of a possession-based tight end. He won’t stretch the field for an offense very often. Mayer is a security blanket and safe target for a quarterback, but won’t pick up huge chunks of yards at a time for an offense.
Projected Draft Range: First-Round Pick
Draft Grade: First-Round Pick
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