The Next Mayer of Canton? Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

First Round Mock’s NFL Draft Analyst William Yanish goes BIG and dares to compare Notre Dame’s tight-end (TE) Michael Mayer to the legend himself, Rob Gronkowski, who held down the same position. Do you believe Mayer has Hall of Fame potential?

The most recent episode between my Editor-In-Chief Daniel Kelly and I came down to Utah’s Dalton Kincaid or Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer. Both of course, play the same position, TE.

We had already been taking jabs at each other since my most recent evaluation on Kincaid.

Kelly and I met in a Facebook argument over a couple quarterbacks some years back. I had no idea who he was at the time, and neither us backed down an inch.

Kincaid or Mayer – – just like the old days.

Now look at us teamed up and tackling the NFL Draft together. However, this story isn’t about us.

Back to Kincaid and Mayer… I really don’t think you could go wrong with either one.

I just didn’t tell him that.

It’s not even a 1(a) and 1(b) thing.

As for the the 2023 draft class, it’s absolutely loaded at tight-end. There are a good handful that will be players in this league.

Without further ado, Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

It’s not too often a first-round caliber TE comes around. Two of my recent favorites were current Vikings and former Lions’ T.J. Hockenson (2019: No. 8 overall, University of Iowa) and the Cardinals’ Trey McBride (2022: No. 55 overall, Colorado State University). These two were the highest selected at the position in their respective draft classes.

Now we have Mayer.

He’s a 6-foot-4, 265 pound junior from Independence, Kentucky. In 2021, he was a third-team All-American. Last year, he ramped that up to becoming a consensus All-American. All told, he’s reeled in 180 catches over the course of his college career, and in the process, became Notre Dame’s all-time TE receiving leader.

Mayer just may also be the most well-rounded at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

He has it when it comes to blocking. He drives out edge defenders to make holes for his running backs to get through. This is one of the strongest points of his game.

It’s fun to watch.

What does he look like as a receiver?

Mayer knows where the sticks are on third downs. The closer his team gets to the end zone, the more his drive kicks in.

Mayer is like a ghost in the red zone. Defenses know he’s there, but he still manages to get so open.

What does the game film say?

The way he creeps around in the end zone is something special, especially for not being overly fast or athletic. I mean 265 pounds is still a BIG dude to be moving around at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard-dash.

It’s not that he that crisp in his routes or cuts, but allow me to throw the word, “Cerebral” out there. He just knows how to get open.

Mayer possesses an extremely strong grip, so much so, it puts him at the next level. He shows this vice-grip as a receiver and as a blocker.

Point blank – – he blocks like an offensive lineman using his hands within the frame work of the defender he’s matched up against.

This Fighting Irish prospect is easily a top-10 prospect in this draft. He’s a complete player with a very high-ceiling.

There are some scary receivers and tight-ends in this draft. Mayer is the very top tier.

The way he navigates the field is something that will lead to a long career. He’s smooth about everything he does.

One word to describe Mayer: Sneaky.

My BIG Three Questions?

1. What I envision in my Joey Porter Jr. evaluation is special, can we see these two one-on-one just once?
2. Every year he has gotten better, what’s is the next step in his evolution?
3. I want to see him play in a two tight-end system, like the one Panthers’ former Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski used to run in Carolina, with Jeremy Shockey, and Greg Olsen. Can that be relevant, again? Please? 🙏🏻

How Mayer stacks up and game film reviewed

Draft grade: First-Round

Pro Comparison: Rob Gronkowski

Game Film reviewed:

Wisconsin ’21 (worst)

FSU ’21

University of North Carolina ’22 (best)

Ohio State ’22

William Yanish III is a life long football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.