2023 mock NFL Draft: 49ers watch NFC get significantly stronger
. Tight End. Fighting Irish . Michael Mayer. 28. player. 819
2023 NFL Draft, Pick No. 28: Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame
Hayden Hurst is a free agent and could be re-signed, but even if he is, the Cincinnati Bengals need to find someone for the future. Tight end is a strong position this year, and Michael Mayer could make the Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow even stronger.
Mayer had a productive season for Notre Dame, with 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns for the Fighting Irish to follow up on 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.
Mayer is more of a natural receiver than a blocker for the NFL, but that’s fine given how offenses are nowadays, and he’s already ready to play Week 1 in the NFL.
Mayer is not the best athlete, so he won’t make crazy plays. But he uses his 6-foot-4, 251-pound frame well in traffic to protect the ball in contested ball situations and has very safe hands.
It’s for this reason that his natural receiving ability rather than his athleticism will see him become a potential first-round pick.