Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Mayer

FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Mayer (TE)

Michael Mayer (TE) Notre Dame

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-4	249	4.70	07/06/2001	1-2	1.11	Zach Ertz

College Production

A highly-decorated two-sport star (football, basketball) out of Covington High School in Independence, Mayer was named Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019 following an impressive senior campaign with 902 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as a tight end and 90 tackles with four INTs as a linebacker. Was named to the First-Team All-State squad and played in the 2020 All-American Bowl. Enrolled at Notre Dame after an early commitment over Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and numerous other top FBS programs. Mayer made headlines immediately for the Irish, earning All-Freshman and Third-Team All-ACC honors after leading the club with 42 grabs. Broke out in 2021 with a team-leading 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven scores and was a John Mackey Award semifinalist. In 2022, set Fighting Irish TE record with nine touchdown catches en route to First-Team AP All-American accolades and being named a finalist for the Mackey Award.

Strengths

• Prototype Y tight end, with ideal size (6-4, 249), who can also line up in-line and hold his own in both pass- and run-blocking situations.

• Good instincts to manipulate defenders and exploit weaknesses in coverage, especially in the red zone.

• Led FBS in contested catch targets (26) and catches (14). Mayer shields off defenders well and has a knack for winning 50/50 throws at a high rate.

• Has extensive experience out of the slot and even lined up outside on 14.2% of his snaps in 2022.

• Versatility, frame, and toughness are indicative of a plus possession and red-zone asset.

Concerns

• 115.9 Speed Score (44th percentile) and 11.70 Burst Score (33rd) are below average for a potential downfield “move” tight end in the NFL.

• Limited route tree and needs to work on footwork especially coming into and out of breaks at full speed.

• Catch radius limited by 31 5/8″ arms (16th percentile) and wing span of just 76 1/4″ (10th). Mayer’s 9 1/2-inch hands are also on the small side.

• Doesn’t create a lot of extra yards after the catch or break as many arm tackles as you like to see.

• While blocking technique was fine in college, will need some refinement with hands and feet to ward off bigger, stronger NFL pass rushers.

Fantasy Outlook

Mayer checks all the boxes to develop into a very good NFL and fantasy tight end. Many scouts consider him the top tight end of this deep and talented 2023 rookie class and draw comps from Zach Ertz to Mark Andrews. That is elite company, which will undoubtedly put Mayer in the conversation for first-round consideration in rookie drafts. However, the learning curve for rookie tight ends is noteworthy, so Mayer profiles as just a modest TE2 in redraft.