Michael Mayer should be an immediate pass-game weapon on any depth chart. At worst, he has the receiving chops to be the second option in a passing attack. Mayer has plus speed, fluid hips and the route-running nuance of an NFL veteran. His routes vary in tempo, with head fakes at the top of his stem. On vertical routes, he displays good bend and changes of direction. He’s an early separator against linebackers and flashes solid late separation on the perimeter against corners. Maher can be used on the perimeter, even against press or man coverage. He has the requisite speed, upper body strength and footwork to defeat this coverage type.

Mayer is mean as a blocker. He’s tenacious and determined to bury his defender in the dirt. He’s better in-line as a pass protector and run blocker than as a pulling blocker or lead. Maher has a good anchor, but he needs to work on leverage. He has the functional strength and technique to enter any NFL depth chart and be a league-average blocker with the upside to grow into an exceptional blocker.

As nasty as Mayer is with blocking, you’d think he would be a monster after the catch, but that isn’t the case. His play strength doesn’t consistently bubble to the top in this area. He needs to channel his aggression into breaking tackles after the catch with stiff arms, etc. Last year, Mayer was 88th in YAC per reception (minimum 20 targets).

– Derek Brown

Michael Mayer 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

Mayer is widely considered the best tight end in the class. He has the size, strength and route-running skills to step into a starting lineup as a rookie. Although, he has some work to do as a blocker to reach his potential in the run game. As good as he is now, Mayer still has considerable untapped potential and appears destined to come off the board in the first round.

Projection: Round 1

– Matthew Jones

Check out the full 2023 NFL Draft profile for Michael Mayer here

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