The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the winners on Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Texas Tech pass rusher Tyree Wilson fell into their lap as the top of the draft was full of trades and surprises. They stayed pat and let the chips fall where they may and things worked out in their favor. One name that fans wanted to see Las Vegas take was Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer.

In Round 2, they didn’t tempt fate, waiting for good luck to strike again. Las Vegas was aggressive, making a move up the board in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Moving up to No. 35 cost the Raiders their second-round pick, No. 38, and a fifth-round pick, No. 141. With that pick, the Raiders selected Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer.

Tight end was an underrated need for Las Vegas entering the draft after the team traded Darren Waller to the New York Giants. Foster Moreau was also departing in free agency, leading the team to sign O.J. Howard and Austin Hooper.

However, both Howard and Hooper signed one-year deals, so Mayer provides the team with a long-term option at the position. Mayer was on the board despite not being the first tight end selected in the second round.

The Detroit Lions selected Sam LaPorta out of Iowa the pick right before the Raiders. It was something that one NFL fan was left scratching their head over, as they thought Las Vegas did well trading up and selecting Mayer after the Lions passed on him. It was an “easy decision”, said another user.

Another fan opted to poke some fun at Raiders fans. In the market for a quarterback, some fans were thinking that the team made a move up to select Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker. Those fans were left disappointed.

One fan questioned why Mayer was selected ahead of Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, who is going to be a huge help in the running game as a blocker. However, Washington has some work to do as a pass catcher, where Mayer has excelled during his time with the Fighting Irish.