The highest-ranked tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft class is Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame. He is a virtual lock to be selected in the first round and depending on how his pre-draft workouts go, he could be selected in the first half of the first round.

There is a lot to like about Michael Mayer as a prospect. While at Notre Dame in a run-heavy offense, he was used oftentimes as an extension of the offensive line. Standing 6’4” and weighing 265 pounds, he is built for in-line tight end work and already has strong technique. You will never have to worry about his effort or willingness to get the job done as a run-blocker.

That size does more than just help as a run blocker. It also helps Michael Mayer in the receiving game as he can move the chains and make contested catches at the short and intermediate parts of the field. He uses his size to his advantage in those situations, taking full advantage of his large frame.

While there are certainly positives to the size differential, there are also some drawbacks. For Michael Mayer, it would be his lack of explosiveness and athleticism. He isn’t going to run away from people coming out of his routes or after the catch, which puts, even more, emphasis on his technique.

While having elite athleticism would certainly help, we have seen plenty of players succeed as students of the game. Based on that, the draft comparison that Michael Mayer received from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com makes a ton of sense. Zierlein compared him to future Hall of Fame tight end, Jason Witten.

Witten was never the fastest or most explosive athlete on the field but he was always able to get the job done. Whatever the Dallas Cowboys asked of him, whether it was to stretch the seam and exploit mismatches over the middle or hold up in the run game, Witten was able to do it.

That kind of reliable skill set is one that Michael Mayer also possesses. He showcased just how talented of a receiver he was during his tenure with the Fighting Irish, recording back-to-back seasons of 800+ receiving yards despite sometimes underwhelming passing performances.

While his pass-catching talent is impressive, it will be his work in the running game that will keep him on the field and hopefully result in a lengthy career. Whoever lands him in the first round is getting a ready-made NFL player capable of being an every-down player before his rookie contract expires.