Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer Player Profile

Summary

Michael Mayer was drafted in Round 2 (#35 Overall) in the 2023 Draft out of the University of Notre Dame. With the Fighting Irish, he totaled 180 receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns, setting the school record for tight ends in all three categories. In 2022, he was named a First‑Team All-American and was a John Mackey Award finalist. Mayer is consistently praised for being well-rounded — a polished pass-catcher, a reliable blocker, and a hard worker who plays with toughness and good technique.

Strengths

  • Excellent receiving ability: Mayer has very good hands, catches passes cleanly—even away from his frame—and excels in contested‑catch situations. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Strong route running & spatial awareness: He runs smooth, well‑timed routes, shows good awareness of how to position himself, and can use his size to leverage mismatches.

  • Good burst + quickness off the snap: He shows a fast first step, which helps him attack seams and create separation, especially in short to intermediate areas. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Solid blocker for a pass-catching TE: Mayer is more than just a receiver — he can hold his ground in the run game, set a solid base, and provide reliable blocking when needed.

  • Strong frame + catch radius: At 6’4″ (or ~6’4.5″) and with good length, he uses his size well to high‑point catches and shield defenders. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Red-zone threat / scoring nose: He has a good feel for the end zone, demonstrated by his NCAA touchdown production and strong ability to make plays near the goal line. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Toughness and competitiveness: Mayer plays with grit, shows good leg drive through contact, and doesn’t flinch when defenders hit him.

  • Reliability / consistency: He caught a pass in every game he played at Notre Dame (36 straight), showing consistent target‑share and dependability. Fighting Irish Athletics

Weaknesses

  • Limited top-end athleticism: He lacks elite long-speed or “run-away” speed, which can be a limiting factor in stretch plays or in creating big separation. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Not a dominant strength blocker: While effective, his functional strength is good but not always overwhelming; there are times his blocking technique could be cleaner. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Route tree isn’t very expansive: Mayer isn’t known for running a very wide or highly varied route tree, which may limit him in some offensive schemes. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Lack of breakaway speed after catch: He turns upfield well, but doesn’t consistently create big YAC due to limited burst. CBS Sports

  • Pad-level issues in blocking: Mayer doesn’t always stay low in his pass‑block sets, which can make him vulnerable.

  • Minor separation issues: Because of average quickness, he sometimes struggles to consistently separate cleanly from defenders. CBS Sports

Fit & Outlook

Michael Mayer projects as a well-rounded, dual-threat tight end in the NFL — someone who brings both receiving and blocking value. He’s particularly suited to an offense that leverages tight ends in multiple roles: in-line as an extra blocker, in the slot, or on intermediate passing concepts. His size, hands, and technique make him a natural security blanket for quarterbacks, especially in the red zone or on third-down throws. In Las Vegas, Mayer has the potential to develop into a key piece of the offense. While he may not become an explosive, home-run TE, his polished game, strong fundamentals, and reliability give him a high floor. Over time, if his usage increases, he could emerge as a dependable starter — a tight end that defenses can’t ignore, both in blocking and receiving phases. His projected trajectory is that of a core rotational TE with starter upside, especially if he continues refining his technique and growing into his frame.