NFL.com projects Michael Mayer's rookie season stats

Wrapping up his rookie preseason with a two-catch performance on Saturday versus the Dallas Cowboys, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is off to a good start in Las Vegas. Ahead of the regular season, NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter shared his predictions for Mayer’s rookie season, among other first-year offensive stars.

According to the draft analyst, the former Notre Dame standout could put up 40 receptions for 420 yards with three touchdowns. There were just two rookie tight ends that surpassed 400 receiving yards last season. For comparison, in 2021, Kyle Pitts posted 1,026 receiving yards, but with just one touchdown.

To get to 40 receptions and 420 yards, Mayer will have to establish himself as a go-to guy in the Raiders offense, which, as Reuter predicts, is the best-case scenario.

“Head coach Josh McDaniels uses tight ends Mayer and Austin Hooper heavily in the Raiders’ offense,” Reuter wrote. “Mayer gets most of his looks in the red zone due to his strength and tenacity as a receiver.”

On the other hand, Mayer could go the way of most rookie tight ends and take a season to develop his role.

“Mayer has a hard time separating from NFL nickel defenders, so he becomes more of a safety valve instead of a big-play threat,” Reuter suggests as the worst-case scenario. ‘The Jimmy Garoppolo era in Las Vegas does not get off to a good start.”

Mayer finds his footing in Vegas

Now 22 years old, Michael Mayer starred at Notre Dame for three years and became the focal point of the Irish passing attack. In three seasons at Notre Dame, Mayer appeared in 36 games. He hauled in 180 passes for 2099 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career in South Bend.

After wrapping his career in Indiana, Mayer went No. 35 overall to Las Vegas, though many projected him as a first-round pick. After the draft, the tight end discussed why he believed it was a perfect fit with Josh McDaniels and the Raiders.

“The first thing is the tradition with the Las Vegas Raiders,” Mayer said. “They’ve had so many good tight ends. There is no doubt about that. They know how to use tight ends. Coach [Josh] McDaniels knows how to use tight ends, and he loves tight ends. So I think I’m going to fit very well into the offense.”

Through three preseason games, the Raiders rookie has three receptions for 23 yards.