Michael Mayer Complete NFL Draft Profile (Notre Dame TE's Scoring Ability Coveted on Day 1)

Notre Dame's Michael Mayer has been discussed as the top tight end prospect ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. The gift pass-catcher proved that he could be a scoring machine with the Fighting Irish, leaving his supporters wondering where he'll fall in this month's draft.

Here's everything you need to know about Michael Mayer heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Michael Mayer Draft Stock & Mock Draft Projections

Mock draft sources accurate as of 4/13: Walter Football, Sporting News, Draft Tek, Pro Football Network, ESPN, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay. 

Projected Draft Round: Round 1 (6), Round 2 (1)
Projected Team: Cowboys (3), Packers (2), Saints (2)

Michael Mayer Scouting Report

A 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame helped Michael Mayer dominate the competition over three years at Notre Dame. The skilled tight end finished the 2022 campaign with 67 catches over 12 games, turning those opportunities into 809 receiving yards and a career-high 9 touchdowns.

Whenever Notre Dame needed a touchdown, Mayer was there. He led all independent school players in touchdown catches in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, accumulating 16 TDs over that span.

Although there's no doubting his ball skills, Mayer is a terrific blocker as well. He knows how to use his hands at the line of scrimmage while his frame keeps him upright. Having said that, he does have some shortcomings, such as a limited route-running ability and limited speed against quicker defensive backs.

Michael Mayer NFL Draft Prediction

It takes a special tight end to be a first-round selection and Michael Mayer is exactly that guy. There's a reason why some scouts and experts have labeled him as "Baby Gronk." Assuming he lives up to his potential, the Notre Dame product could be one of the best TEs in the NFL in just a few years.

Keeping that in mind, his route running and limited speed will hold him back from being an earlier pick. Still, that won't stop a team like the Dallas Cowboys from drafting him in the opening round. The Cowboys lost No. 1 TE Dalton Schultz in free agency and while they still have Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, they could use someone with Mayer's upside.

Besides, Mayer would thrive in an offense that averaged 26.8 points (No. 4) and 223.1 passing yards (No. 13) per game in 2022. Pairing him with a quarterback like Dak Prescott would be a match made in heaven, so I won't be shocked if Mayer suits up for America's Team this fall.

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys (Round 1, 26th overall)

Check out more NFL Draft content from The Duel:

Michael Mayer NFL Combine Results

Michael Mayer Notre Dame Stats

Michael Mayer Notre Dame Highlights

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.