Michael Mayer

Mayer seemed positioned as the Raiders' top tight end for years to come after being picked 35th overall out of Notre Dame in 2023 and subsequently starting 12 games as a rookie, but his outlook changed drastically this April when the team drafted Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall. While Mayer still figures to be an important part of the team, he's unlikely to play ahead of Bowers in obvious passing situations, which means there's no guaranteed of improving on last year's total of 40 targets. As good as he was catching passes during his Notre Dame career, Mayer may now find himself blocking more often than running routes, as Bowers is faster, smaller and far more dangerous with the ball in his hands. Any chance for a Year 2 breakout from Mayer would seem to depend on Bowers either missing time or being a shocking bust.

Mayer was at one point viewed as the consensus top tight end in a strong 2023 rookie class at the position. He caught 138 passes for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, but that doesn't mean he'll hit the ground running in the NFL. Mayer is right around average size for an NFL tight end at 6-4, 249, and his 4.70-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was also about average for a starter. He’s a good route runner with excellent hands, but getting open against superior athletes at the NFL level is no guarantee. Mayer is unlikely to reach the upper echelon of tight end production as a rookie even if he pans out long term – over the last 20 years, only three TEs topped 600 yards in their rookie seasons: Kyle Pitts in 2021 (1,026 yards), Evan Engram in 2017 (722 yards) and John Carlson in 2008 (627 yards).