Where Daniel Jeremiah has Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in his top 50 prospect rankings 3.0
Former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer was one of four Fighting Irish prospects to workout in front of evaluators at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine. In most events, the 6-foot-4 ½, 249-pound Mayer finished middle of the pack. However, according to one highly respected draft analyst, his draft status improved.
NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his updated top 50 on Thursday, and Mayer moved up one spot in the rankings. Jeremiah now lists the former Irish consensus All-America tight end as his No. 21 overall player and No. 2 tight end.
“Mayer is a physical tight end with strong hands and value in the run game,” Jeremiah said in his evaluation. “He lines up in-line, on the wing or flexed in the slot. He isn’t a sudden mover, but he understands how to set up defenders and utilizes his big frame to box out down the field. He’s excellent when making catches in congested areas. After the catch, he has the strength to drag tacklers for extra yards.
“He is a very dependable run blocker, as well. He latches on and runs his feet to create movement. Overall, Mayer doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he’s a complete tight end who will be ready to contribute right away.”
Despite the praise from Jeremiah, he still has Utah senior tight end Dalton Kincaid, who did not work out at the NFL Combine, ahead of Mayer. Jeremiah ranks Kincaid as the No. 11 overall player and No. 1 tight end.
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Mayer entered NFL Draft after terrific Notre Dame career
Mayer registered 180 catches, 2,099 yards, and 18 touchdowns in three seasons at Notre Dame. And in doing so, broke every major Irish tight end record. Mayer forewent his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 7. He did not play in the Gator Bowl.
Mayer is looking to become the first former Fighting Irish tight end to go in the NFL Draft’s first round since the Bengals selected Tyler Eifert, No. 21 overall, in 2013. Since then, Notre Dame has had six other tight ends drafted: Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack, Durham Smythe, Alize Mack, Cole Kmet and Tommy Tremble.
Besides Eifert, Notre Dame has had four tight ends get drafted in the first round: Monty Stickles (1960), Ken MacAfee (1978), Tony Hunter (1983), Derek Brown (1992) and Irv Smith (1993).
A product of Park Hills (Ky.) Covington Catholic High, Mayer held an On3 Industry Ranking No. 34 overall player, No. 3 tight end and No. 1 player in Kentucky coming out of high school. He had scholarship offers from Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Purdue, Minnesota, Louisville and Cincinnati.
