This class is filled with talent and will bring great value to your dynasty squad for the foreseeable future. Dave Heilman (@DynastyDorks) and I (@FFBourbonDude) will discuss the following tight ends, and if you’re interested in listening in to our initial pre-combine breakdowns, get to our YouTube Channel and check out our 2023 Draft Profiles.
Our pre-draft consensus rankings are as follows:
- Michael Mayer
- Dalton Kincaid
- Darnell Washington
- Luke Musgrave
- Sam LaPorta
This write-up is about our consensus number-one tight end in the 2023 rookie class, Michael Mayer. So let’s get into it.
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Michael Mayer – NFL Rookie Draft and Dynasty Watch
Background
Michael Mayer was the 2019 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and a 5-star recruit per 247Sports.
Height – 6’4″
Weight – 265 pounds
He had offers from elite schools and landed with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he got the following accolades along with setting school records for a tight end in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns:
2022: First-team All-American (AP, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News)
2022: Second-team All-American (FWAA, AFCA)
2021: Third-team All-American (AP)
2020: Freshman All-America First Team (247Sports, The Athletic)
2020: All-ACC third team.
College Career
Mayer had an excellent freshman season by Tight End standards, with 42 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns while getting nominated to the 2020 freshman all-American team.
He followed that up with two stellar seasons where he combined for 138 catches, 1,659 yards, and 16 touchdowns while averaging 12 yards per catch.
| Rec | Yds | TD | YPC | |
| 2020 | 42 | 450 | 2 | 10.7 |
| 2021 | 71 | 850 | 7 | 11.8 |
| 2022 | 67 | 809 | 9 | 12.1 |
TE Pros
All-Around
Mayer has an all-around skill set and will never need to be taken off the field. He can line up in line and off the ball.
Catch in Traffic
His size and route-running are just the tips of the iceberg with Mayer. He has a great ability to catch the ball in traffic while being covered well. He has the strength to bring it in and the athleticism to power through contact and maintain control.
Route Running
Mayer has a very good skillset when it comes to manipulating linebackers and safeties. He has a lot of tape that shows him getting both defenders to flip their hips and get open, even with double coverage.
You still need a reason to draft Michael Mayer?
Here you go.
Bring him home. pic.twitter.com/KmzPK5XJfc
— x-The Nati King (@thenatiking) February 7, 2023
TE Cons
Speed
Even though he has size and route running, he doesn’t have the speed to be a seam threat. Mayer does have the knack for coming down with tough catches in coverage, but this could limit him at the next level on big plays. Seeing through the linebackers and safeties in the NFL is going to be more of a challenge.
Blocking
While Mayer is capable of blocking enough to never leave the field, he could still use some coaching to improve here.
Dynamic
Mayer isn’t going to put on tape dynamic playmaking ability like a few of the other tight ends in the class. He is still more than capable of making big plays with route running and being less reliant on athleticism.
