NFL draft: What the experts think about Michael Mayer’s value
The 88th NFL draft is nearing as the NFL scouting combine has wound down. The next step before the big three days in Kansas City this April will be pro days across college campuses. Although they don’t have a player vying for a top-five selection, Notre Dame has a player almost everyone sees as a first-round pick: tight end Michael Mayer.
In just three seasons on campus, Mayer set just about every tight end record to be had in the Notre Dame record book. So how do NFL scouts and analysts view him with less than two months until the draft?
Here are the projections and opinions of roughly a dozen different experts in their most-recent NFL mock drafts that all featured Mayer.
Patrick Conn, College Sports Wire: 26th overall to Cowboys
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys could lose Dalton Schultz to free agency after tagging him in the 2022 season. This year they can add the top pass-catching tight end with Mayer. This will benefit them in the red zone.
Link to Conn’s latest College Sports Wire full mock draft
Michael Middlehunt-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports: 15th overall to Packers
Erin Edgerton/The Daily Progress via AP
One consistency amid the Packers’ unresolved quarterback drama: Whoever is behind center would benefit from another sure-handed target being added to a young receiving corps. Mayer might seem like a throwback at tight end given how many of his peers frequently split wide, but his receiving chops are legit.
Link to full USA TODAY Sports mock draft
Luke Easterling, Draftwire: 24th overall to Jaguars
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The defense has a few holes that need to be filled, but the Jags’ primary focus should still be giving Trevor Lawrence as much help as possible. Even if Evan Engram returns after a stellar season, Mayer’s well-rounded skill set and blocking prowess would bring an added element to a dynamic offense.
Link to full Draftwire mock draft
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: 24th overall to Jaguars
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
With Evan Engram potentially out of Jacksonville following a career year, the Jaguars would love to add a reliable player like Mayer to continue emphasizing the tight end passing game as quarterback Trevor Lawrence ascends in Doug Pederson’s offense.
Bottom Line: Mayer is one of the highest-floor players in the draft. You know you’re getting a complete, productive tight end at the next level. However, can he separate enough to be a true difference-maker?
Damian Parson, The Draft Network: 32nd overall to Chiefs
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
This pick screams “only in an NFL mock draft.” But it fits, right? Let’s be honest, if Michael Mayer falls to the Chiefs, do we believe Andy Reid will pass on him? I do not. Picture Travis Kelce and Michael Mayer in 12-personnel packages. Mahomes is gearing up to terrorize defenses yet again.
Link to full Draft Network mock draft
Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston: 26th overall to Giants
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Mayer has the ability to be a foundational player in any offense. Is he the world’s greatest athlete at the position? Probably not. But he has hands. And run-after-the-catch ability. Brian Daboll, former Patriots tight ends coach, will approve.
Link to full NBC Sports Boston mock draft
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: 28th overall to Bengals
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati was interested in Trey McBride in last year’s draft, so perhaps they’ll use an early pick on a tight end.
The next NFL tight end to come out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer murdered opponents with high production over the middle of the field.
Link to full Walter Football mock draft
Andy Molitor, Bleacher Nation: 24th overall to Jaguars
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
No comments on this one, just a list of picks that can be viewed in full here.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: 15th overall to Packers
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
If the Packers move on from Aaron Rodgers, adding a traditional “Y” tight end would help Green Bay transition to a ball-control offense that skews to a run-centric approach.
Link to full NFL.com mock draft by Bucky Brooks
Rueben Frank, NBC Sports Philadelphia: 18th overall to Lions
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
One of only two players in the entire BCS – and the only tight end – with at least 130 catches, 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns over the last two years, Mayer is an NFL-ready tight end who’s got the whole package – great hands, outstanding size at 6-4, 250, disciplined route-running ability, terrific body control on bad balls and terrific blocking skill. With T.J. Hockenson unloaded to the Vikings, Mayer will come in and be TE1 from Day 1. Did you know the Lions have never had a tight end with 800 yards? Mayer should get close as a rookie.
Link to full NBC Sports Philadelphia mock draft
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: 21st overall to Chargers
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Michael Mayer told us at the combine that he loves the way Travis Kelce plays the position, and while he may not be quite that athletic, Mayer is already a better blocker. He’s also a legit downfield threat who it’s easy to imagine quickly becoming one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets.
Link to full Ryan Wilson CBS Sports mock draft
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: 15th overall to Packers
USA TODAY SPORTS
The Packers again avoid taking a wide receiver in the opening round and instead find a replacement for Robert Tonyan, whose deal is expiring.
Link to Farmer’s full LA Times mock draft
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: 9th overall to Panthers
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Given how the quarterbacks could be selected ahead of them if they decide not to trade up ahead of multiple teams, the Panthers may need to go veteran bridge again and focus on upgrading the skill positions. Mayer can be a dominant force to help D.J. Moore and give them a game-changing tight end for the first time since Greg Olsen retired.
