Packers Meet With 1st Round TE Prospect Michael Mayer!

Will The Packers Draft A First Round TE For Jordan Love?

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It came out today from Jordan Reif that the Packers have met with TE prospect Michael Mayer. That now means that the Packers have met with 3 TE’s (also Dalton Kincaid & Darnell Washington) all of whom have a chance of being drafted in the first round.

THIS IS EXCITING.

I know that pre draft visits aren’t everything but it is interesting that they are doing lots of homework on the TE’s who are likely going to be drafted in the first and second round. You know that Brian Gutekunst is going to do all he can to make Jordan Love successful. His job likely depends on it. One thing that the Packers desperately need at this current moment in time are more pass catchers.

A few months back Gutey mentioned that the tight end class is very deep this year. This could mean that the Packers may wait till round 2 to see who falls.

We’ve seen in the past that he is also not afraid to move up to get his guy. Last year it was trading 2 second round picks to move up to the top of the second round to draft Christian Watson. If Brian Guekunst love’s a guy he will reach for him. I do wonder what he and the Packers scouts are thinking. There probably is a TE that they would most like to have. If they love someone enough I’m all for them drafting them in the 1st with pick #15. 

Let’s get into the kind of player Michael Mayer is and then compare him to the other TE’s the Packers have met with. 

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, 6’4 249

Here’s what Oliver Hodgkinson of  pro football network had to say,

“His size and physicality make the Fighting Irish TE an impressive all-round prospect who is as capable of catching the ball as he is blocking in-line. In fact, there are few prospects at the position who can compete with his prowess in this regard.”

Matt Lafleur loves guys who can block. Mayer can do both. Marcedes Lewis has not been brought back and the Packers could use a competent run blocking tight end. 

“Moving on from his ability as a blocker, Mayer uses his frame to be a force in the passing game. While not possessing elite length, the combination of his size and decent length allow him to consistently make catches above the rim. He also showcases good technique as a pass catcher, plucking the ball away from his frame with regularity while being an impressive ball tracker.” (Hodgkinson)

Mayer may not have the pass catching ceiling of Darnell Washington and Dalton Kincaid but he can be a reliable pass catcher. He had 67 rec, 809 rec yds, and 9TD’s in his final year at Notre Dame. 

“The major concern for NFL analysts over Mayer is his lack of elite athleticism. There are faster tight ends in the class who can get vertically far more quickly than the Fighting Irish phenom. Additionally, there are more laterally exceptional tight ends prospects who can break from routes with more sharpness and, thus, are more likely to create separation.” (Hodgkinson)

This is where gauging who the Packers would rather have gets interesting. For example Georgia’s Darnell Washington is taller and bigger than Mayer at 6’6 264 and ran a faster 40 (4.64) vs Michael Mayers 4.7. 

Now don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t be upset if the Packers took Mayer, but a guy like Darnell Washinton entices me more. Imagine Jordan Love having a 6’6 tight end in the red zone to throw it up to. I could get used to seeing that on Sundays. And Darnell Washington can get it done blocking. Check and check. 

Utah’s Dalton Kincaid on the other hand seems to lack the  blocking ability of Mayer and Washington but basically plays like a receiver. Kincaid is 6 '4 246 and ran a 4.71 40. 

If I had to choose one of these guys right now I’d go with Darnell Washington. Give me the guy who is bigger, taller, and faster. I’d probably be equally excited about Mayer and Kincaid after Washington. If we get Mayer we know we get a jack of all trades TE who can be sufficient blocking and catching. With Kincaid we likely get a better receiver but some deficiencies in blocking. 

We’ll see if I change my mind in the next 2 weeks before the draft. This is what I’m thinking right now. -Luke Beller (Sideline Scoop)