The godfather of the NFL Draft, Mel Kiper Jr., released his latest mock draft for ESPN and the long-time analyst had the Green Bay Packers adding an offensive weapon with the 15th overall pick. Kiper had the Packers selecting Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer.
From Kiper:
Why not a tight end here – – regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers is back as the quarterback? Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis are free agents, and this is a major hole on the roster. The tight-end class is really good this year, with Mayer atop my board. He is a complete player who put up 809 yards and 67 catches with nine touchdowns in 2022. He can stretch the middle of the field and run past linebackers on seam routes. The only downside is that he doesn’t have super-long arms, but he’s ahead of the game as a pass-catcher.
Mayer is going to be a popular mock pick for the Packers. He’s the top tight end in the class and the Packers have a glaring hole at the tight end position.
Mayer is a plug-and-play starter with his natural pass-catching abilities. The Notre Dame tight end has outstanding body control and is able to make catches through contact.
Michael Mayer: 17 contested catches last season
Led all Tight Ends☘️ pic.twitter.com/fwTChCJD5e
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 21, 2023
While Mayer may not be the most explosive athlete, he’s a natural route runner and with his size (6-5, 251 pounds), he’d be a weapon working the middle of the field for Green Bay’s offense.
There will be a lot of pushback on this pick if it happens, with fans saying they could have addressed the tight end position in the second round with Dalton Kincaid or Tucker Kraft. Get the top player at the position and prosper.
The Packers need playmakers on offense and Mayer has all the tools to carve out a long, decorated career at the next level.
